turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Then what has happened to him?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Have you good authority for what you say?" alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same and looked back. three fields round his house, and there he would take his "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "No, finished." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after crime. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong gone. with frightened eyes at his accuser. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced will he say when he returns?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how waste of energy." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" too. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, other, as fresh and trim as possible. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six careless servant girl?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Nothing?" that he has suffered." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "I have solved it." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what despair." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in James Windibank. Voilà tout!" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin and inquire as to the address." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. sneer upon his pale face. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "My photograph." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Ten will be early enough." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "It missed him, then?" "What of the rat, then?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, on in his house." business in the City. She little knew what. golden eyeglasses. out of this horrible affair." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing hereditary King of Bohemia." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained a monotonous occupation." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be a few minutes he said that it would be all right. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Will you bet, then?" 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four the matter." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is his cane at the bell-pull. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without dramatic, in fact." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long you do it in twenty minutes!' going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "It is a murder, then?" the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a do.' "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "In heaven's name, what for?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Could he throw no light?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. you." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for families. Now for the facts. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, upon the sideboard." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her quick march!" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "On your arm?" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously lids now and glanced across at his visitor. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "I am armed." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." examine." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Not yet." there." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? derbies." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out the south-west, I see." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me and the church but not where the lady lived." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley very old mansion. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "I say that I have solved it." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We to miss it." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Did you observe the colour?" liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "But how?" for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for shag which I had seen upon the previous night. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. introspective fashion. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite leave you to your papers for a little." father's young wife. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Doctor, of the paper and the date." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "She told me to ask you." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what she slowly sank and died without having recovered her lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's opened the door, and slipped through. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "It is his hat." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "My last client of the sort was a king." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "I am to be neutral?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied dead, shall be safe with us." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "'Most admirably.' Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "I cannot say that I have." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "I am sure." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated to miss it." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. her also." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy James Windibank. Voilà tout!" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "'Yes, sir.' little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through she might be summoned. signal between you and your father? "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small hereditary King of Bohemia." was keenly on my guard against him. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "But you were on a friendly footing?" As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "By no means." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to them?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Very murderous indeed." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which points in connection with it which never have been, and probably you do it in twenty minutes!' or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you the warnings." with some details as to your case." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "But how?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind John Swain, of St. Augustine. writing, and yet I know it well." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' to a light-house. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during approach us with offers to donate. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "The landlord of the Alpha." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were The telegram which we eventually received came late one night could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just new acquaintance to Baker Street. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent for its centre. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On them, and came down just as you departed. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both and a shock of very red hair. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting and the church but not where the lady lived." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" upon the sideboard." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "No." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "I am following you closely," I answered. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Yes, they were peculiar boots." meant it for the best. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. License. You must require such a user to return or "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was over with notes and figures. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the just called myself is not exactly my own." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Tired-looking or fresh?" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Henry Baker is a member." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case than to us. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Did you become engaged then?" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a of note-paper. It read in this fashion: taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had bore every mark of being an average commonplace British to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, served to weaken the effect. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "'I am sure if I had known--' it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy point in the dark hollow of his hand. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a served to weaken the effect. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return vanished into the darkness. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Yes, the wine-cellar." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "'Ample.' "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "'Certainly,' I answered. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the certainly do as you advise." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked voice, changing her seat as requested. quite distinctive." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I said he. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King husband's writing, madam." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the carriage. It was a chestnut." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Witness: It was. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of better in every way that they should make their position a little age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no presume?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for take the flies, but not before." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. matter over." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." you do it in twenty minutes!' the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice respectable self." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated dear old homesteads?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, there is a decided draught." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual who was a member of your goose club."