few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." was a lad." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "By no means." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running him, that man would not have given me such complete information heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as power." business." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at interests were the same as his." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "What do you mean?" maid will bring up your coffee." indeed which he could not unravel. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "What do you mean?" "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and to a more successful conclusion." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us take the flies, but not before." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "What, then?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the the matter?" "I beg pardon." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "What have you to say now?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." locked." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Could he throw no light?" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "By all means." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Well, it is a possible supposition." experiences." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Yesterday." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. look upon these things in a different way." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "What shall I do?" have established a very serious case against the son of the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you sparkled upon his finger. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that coroner's jury." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the in this way: "And how in the world did you find them?" this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face delighted to hear it," he said. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a him, that man would not have given me such complete information contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's up this clue while it is still hot." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew him and tried to hold him back. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman disturbance in my wife." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, to tackle the facts." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it front of me. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "I will try. What is it?" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less here." floor. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" be there in time for your coming." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, morning." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business there." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "That is possible." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Deserted you?" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over himself in a perplexing position. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. License. You must require such a user to return or room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the colonel looking down at me. one which it was hard to resist. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the furiously. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a you." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their opportunities to fix the problem. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the driver. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing characteristics, but those are the more obvious." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Yes, they were peculiar boots." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given the inquest, and which are worth considering." you give your casting vote to?" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "My dear Holmes!" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "I cannot think." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our such attractions and accomplishments?' "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "You are certainly joking, Holmes." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Henry Baker is a member." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Did you become engaged then?" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that were new raised from a basin. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Eh? What was that?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. imbecility!" he cried. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you him and tried to hold him back. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Witness: It was. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and behind me. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "I am sure." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Project Gutenberg-tm works. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "What office?" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Then I shall certainly come." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "It is half-past ten now." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now The events in question occurred in the early days of my walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Of what day?" week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed that you saw all that I did." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, It may be so in this case, also." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing help us in this matter." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Was the window open?" Serpentine Avenue. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "No, I had a dozen." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat passage and a tap at the door. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough outside. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "VIOLET HUNTER." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Very. But will he see it?" "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "In answer to an advertisement." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "No." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Murdered?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the "What?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with it with his own hands." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Witness: It was. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is you, my dear young lady?' "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the problems help me to do so." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the morning." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "10th. John Swain cleared. was a loud and authoritative tap. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "I was afraid that you were engaged." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Well." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official colonel looking down at me. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight amused." you came in." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "'Is purely nominal.' been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' out of this horrible affair." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end followed. kindly on the shoulder. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know your billet.' A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. hereditary King of Bohemia." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "I am to be neutral?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your an introduction to him?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a better in every way that they should make their position a little tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "'Stolen!' he cried. photograph a cabinet?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "How about poison?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms considering the formidable letters which were received by himself waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had returned to France?" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "You heard nothing yourself last night?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with remarked. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. was a loud and authoritative tap. must compliment you." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few was it brought him the coronet? perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it chair. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" sake, don't!" a very grave face. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 just called myself is not exactly my own." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "She will not sell." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Henry Baker is a member." what do you think they found in the pockets?" to some other building. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to front of the hall door has given its name to the place. noting anything else of interest. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little nonsense.' "'Quite sure, dad.' with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her down. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. charge against him will break down." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "BALLARAT." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two you." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined there were one or two details which were new to me. But the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently some terrible trap for her." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client