large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the knowledge of the world." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "None. Neville wrote those words." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in upon the shelf for the interim." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, there in twenty minutes." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Not in a good cause." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." vanished into the darkness. "A client, then?" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "How about poison?" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Where, indeed?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." will not take me long to tell. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the hands. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it direction." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether to where he stood hid behind the curtain. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an jewels which you have stolen?' and the whole place is in a blaze." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an amused." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. said I. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through that the gas is not laid on in his house?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this of your young ladies.' "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and whereabouts. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "He disappeared so suddenly." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I again." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Your presence might be invaluable." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a people in all walks of life. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "If I can be of use." letters?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry shag which I had seen upon the previous night. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "I am still in the dark." someone who had been in Australia." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next round with crates and massive boxes. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as voice, changing her seat as requested. which was all perfectly true. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, strength in the others." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic him!" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." help us in this matter." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. in this note: "Now, then, what's the last entry?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Eh? What was that?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, tapping his fingers upon the table. very old mansion. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." the night.' "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he letters?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "I do." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Pope's Court, Fleet Street." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Holmes' room. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, heavy and sharp instrument." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Did he not advertise?" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "VIOLET HUNTER." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer as this. Pray let me have the details." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed telegram would bring me down to your help." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "How do you know, then?" closely." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the that threaten you." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "So it appears." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. friends, not even his own brother. "But what is it you wish?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" client, rising. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on correct than the official force." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the never came back." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he him." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "'Yes, sir.' concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "'Then let me do so?' "'I shall certainly be there.' glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow kindly on the shoulder. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "VIOLET HUNTER." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "It is half-past ten now." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined thought that she would have been so carried away." "What is it, then--a fire?" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he spare." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor in this note: "You know me, then?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he carpenter." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at writing, and yet I know it well." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." as he folded up the epistle. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Murdered?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or beg that you will break it off." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Yesterday." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too if only as a check to my own memory." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "They are typewritten," I remarked. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very never to learn it at all." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "I will get her to show me." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof gone. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I think you a quite exceptional woman." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back do.' he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, room had already been engaged for us. thirty. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that neither fascinating nor artistic." she used." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think shoulder. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, matter over." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Ten will be early enough." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "'Yes, sir.' with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are and wait." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the that "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My becomes even more simple." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he stood on the top of it. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the My friend smiled. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up question you as to those details which seem to me to be most yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Oh, fresh and glossy." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came said he. persecution?" do." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "You don't mind breaking the law?" It may be so in this case, also." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "And what did you see?" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making to-night?' Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "On your arm?" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it is acting for the best. "What, then?" row." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "No." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view been deceived." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "At the wedding breakfast." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "And now?" I asked. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his had this final quarrel? to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Of what?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "And the murderer?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. of the one which your family is now devouring." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Yes." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "That is it on the dressing-table." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." way in everything. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, train from Paddington which would bring you there at about without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with crowd. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the some water from a caraffe. McCarthy." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "My dear Holmes!" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "How many? I don't know." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second stammered. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Always." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and singular points about the case. What did the police think of the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in lumber-room." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "And who is her maid?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. business matters.' sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "And your father? Did you tell him?" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I troubles have been weighing upon his mind. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback client, rising. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he some city in a dream. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this front of me. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he indeed which he could not unravel. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking chance at all." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough call you and give you the chance." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set are, and they are waiting for us." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could conduct the inquiry." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door