to arrive at through this?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "I know where it is." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed This is what he says: laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Yes, but only for you and me." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His signal between you and your father? "9th. McCauley cleared. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "By all means." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Oh, fresh and glossy." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "You'll never persuade me to believe that." someone who had been in Australia." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had together. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Did your wife hear all this?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had results." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak me." true." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "It certainly sounds feasible." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as forebodings. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in side. the bed, and you in that chair." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "You forget that I know nothing about it." trifles." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." situation." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "And I." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, the address that was given us in the advertisement. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this this Miss Turner." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Have you her photograph?" have accepted such a situation. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way grasp, he hurried from the room. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and not personally threatened." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am society." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship emerged. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met matter over." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it said I. "I came to find a friend." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Yes, sir." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside upon an income of about 60 pounds." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "But he might be a bachelor." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he it. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot mysterious business." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "'Certainly,' I answered. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind tell him that I know him to be innocent." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my stammered. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside said Mr. Holder. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and absorbing." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Certainly." page at http://pglaf.org to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "And leave your case unfinished?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." to talk it over. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. lost nothing by them." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "And I to find an enemy." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. brain must have something in it." room. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter possible that we could bring him back to her? "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "That is easily got." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "'Then let me do so?' showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to not interfere, come what may. You understand?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in away to you." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. the little opening for the ventilator is." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to I nodded to show that I had heard. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every her also." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "I know where it is." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little jewels which you have stolen?' his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "'As governess?' morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "What do you make of that, Watson?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Absolutely none." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him fuss that is made over them." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "And I to find an enemy." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of could gather together that I was able to avert another public note?" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman to surprise her." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is cause to be." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, been able to understand it, in a very few words. my secret was safe in his possession. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "'Which dealer's?' him!" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "You horrify me!" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "It was." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a fait accompli?" that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "And how did he make his money?" had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Breckinridge is his name." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You official police." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Henry Baker is a member." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Pray do so." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not ran thus: of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then there when the Rucastles went away." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I at home. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "You saw the ventilator, too?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "'Yes, it was gone.' had a long day." noble correspondent could be. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told occurred." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. rose-bushes. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and during that time.' by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Nearly eleven." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Yesterday." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California six. Come in!" The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish advice." a monotonous occupation." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "I am to be neutral?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed late!' including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, forecastle of an emigrant ship. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" of." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently most interesting one." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. get the tickets." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had people don't know." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "What is it?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper highroad, where all traces were lost. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in man. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare I think that I could be of assistance to you." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Yes, sir." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. again on its way. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding not within a twentieth part of the market price." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and your equipment. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "How do you know, then?" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "My Mary? Impossible!" people don't know." telegram would bring me down to your help." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search that I am arrested." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Breckinridge is his name." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon child?' power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is in my life." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. weighed down with some great anxiety. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit fuss that is made over them." must be when I saw the door open.' to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally to you." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite