the Friday. Was it to be in church?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is conceal it?" And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how grasp, he hurried from the room. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very shag which I had seen upon the previous night. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "I should wish to." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "You horrify me." been with you?" the warnings." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. prison!" remarked. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "You have compromised yourself seriously." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the this remarkable episode. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "It is true that I have been generally successful." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's problems help me to do so." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not appeared upon the scene." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in overpowering excitement and concern. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, shoulder; "he's all right." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while as he folded up the epistle. "'How far from the body?' which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, writer." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how The summons was a brief and urgent one. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat fuss that is made over them." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his of a light. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "I think that it is very probable." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them as noiselessly as she had come. "Ah!" away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place in him." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "To ruin me." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "You saw the ventilator, too?" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my delighted to hear it," he said. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. grasp, he hurried from the room. been with you?" second window is the one that I jumped from." pictures, libraries, or plate. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a chance at all." galvanised. British peeress.'" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down me upon any point which I do not make clear." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so see me here to avoid scandal." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "And sit in the dark?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock to tackle the facts." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Yes." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and of Fenchurch Street." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple allusion to a rat. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Holmes, the busybody!" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which how narrow had been my escape. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "This concluded the examination of the witness." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "But we can't all be." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small correct than the official force." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "A call for help, you thought?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "If so, much may have happened between." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine me where it went to?" "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. said he at last. assist you in forming an opinion." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." seven miles from Eyford Station.' ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet or other trace. But how on earth--" permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "'Ample.' making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three nothing of it?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Tired-looking or fresh?" step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to for its centre. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Frequently." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. question," said Holmes, smiling. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no been lifted and conveyed somewhere." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own laugh and put his lips to my ear. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "No good news?" this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "You have but to name it." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Has he come with you to-night?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest business in the City. She little knew what. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I have a cab outside." desk. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "And how did he make his money?" "But his lameness?" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Yes, it would be as well." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "I came to find a friend." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Miss Holder?" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here manager. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "'How far from the body?' "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "That is it on the dressing-table." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting obstinate." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully Mrs. Toller serenely. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house burst out into a roar of laughter. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? said he. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose six. Come in!" It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "I will, Miss Turner." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, you do it in twenty minutes!' now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that upon a handsome competence. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a bearing upon the case." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Nothing?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich chance." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "It is very kind of you." garden below. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the locked." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by have been better. It is all right." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my remarked. opportunities to fix the problem. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "A greater distance to travel." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we flock.' desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "'You cannot say what it was?' shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "By train from Waterloo." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland said I. south, for the country is more deserted there." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "'Ample.' a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Sutherland?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is least a most suspicious remark." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you his eyes and forehead. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, with frightened eyes at his accuser. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious might help us?" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't dramatic, in fact." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "And leave your case unfinished?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "That's no good." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Where, then, is my wife?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every like that before?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry of the way of danger. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then asked. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." bill, which interests me deeply." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. are, and they are waiting for us." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of respectable self." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "What can you not understand?" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "She told me to ask you." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from once more for Briony Lodge. "Your French gold?" events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It strength." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet people don't know." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that leaning back in his chair. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The it with his own hands." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what to have that photograph." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "It goes to the housekeeper's room." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" indeed happy." "I do." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Were they all fastened this morning?" Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step been lifted and conveyed somewhere." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Never." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident prison!" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you cheerful." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "But she will refuse." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from their singular warning or token before them when starting upon