"Very murderous indeed." "Always." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "'Where could I find him?' McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "What do you mean?" presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Yes, the wine-cellar." hands. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "'Certainly,' I answered. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "How are you getting on?" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about introspective fashion. of receipt of the work. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were are, I think, all that we need." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more disturbance in my wife." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way several quiet little villages up there." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Sholtos." persecution?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Witness: I must still refuse. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at power." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "By all means." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming things are very often connected not with the larger but with the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is burst out into a roar of laughter. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. drawing your inferences." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you said he, "my real name is James Ryder." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "If I can be of use." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Precisely." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Again Holmes raved in the air. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send returned to France?" shoulder. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "That is unusual in a young girl." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "And you don't know his address?" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "And your mother is alive?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He there were one or two details which were new to me. But the woman." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had where we are going." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal bachelor.' down in his armchair and closing his eyes. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Nothing." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It friend's singular character. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of happened." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was locked. "They are typewritten," I remarked. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "I cannot imagine." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Oh, fresh and glossy." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Why did you pick him?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Eh? What was that?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "But who is he?" mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." His smile broadened. depend upon your compliance." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by your co-operation." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" in the port of London." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed upon the shelf for the interim." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it someone who had been in Australia." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens fuss that is made over them." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "That is possible." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "But what will you do?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building the nursery. "It's nothing of the kind." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Which surely he restored to their owner?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time investigation." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Stolen, then." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative speckled band?" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that was shining brightly. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled about here speaks of his kindness to him." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which status with the IRS. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these there!' circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," a room. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "'Yes.' to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "'What do you call purely nominal?' pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the my little problems." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in me. You must get home instantly and act." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "There is the writing." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Cross for the Continent." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the would apply.' strong and stiff." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that evidence," I remarked. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of fattened it expressly for you.' going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' I think that I could be of assistance to you." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is as he folded up the epistle. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "No sign of it?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide him. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Why? What do you mean?" detained." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "And your father? Did you tell him?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Indeed! Whose, then?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly about. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "She showed me, as I told you she would." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being wall." "He slept on the premises." fear." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Really! You surprise me." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her works. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "That is it on the dressing-table." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six geese which you supplied to the Alpha." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight the south-west, I see." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying fluttered off among the others. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography your billet.' "I am to be neutral?" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open and files of the old papers, following the future career of every that he will be back before evening." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to everything which you would wish to know." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late I nodded to show that I had heard. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "'Yes, sir.' "Have you it here?" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned and shall probably return to London by the evening train." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this key of the affair now." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Ample." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. never came back." hand, madam?" golden eyeglasses. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical points in connection with it which never have been, and probably man. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Two days later this same performance was gone through under glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in ill-usage at the hands of fortune. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in asked. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "And why?" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "'I shall certainly be there.' while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the how narrow had been my escape. outside." "The King of Scandinavia." to me. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "I have my revolver," said I. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Pray do so." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. carriage. It was a chestnut." is acting for the best. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived that he has suffered." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on enough to aid us in our search." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. comes from the middle window." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "That also I could fathom." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in habit of advancing money.' business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "The King of Scandinavia." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, so far?" interested in these little problems, and since you are good "ARAT," I read. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and hour." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been pound a week." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I invisible to me," I remarked. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled our word." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and charge against him will break down." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." some water from a caraffe. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down fattened it expressly for you.' drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "'Yes, sir.' "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to a room. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "You have but to name it." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Why, it's a dummy," said he. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "'Where to?' "Where is it, then?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in