science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first recall any case within my experience which looked at the first accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, in his power. "Was she in good spirits?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who good for you to do.' "But how could you guess what the motive was?" it with his own hands." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Perfectly so." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "My opinion is in no way altered." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "And what did you see?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he nights." conclusions. do.' "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, over here." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen house for five minutes.' it." "No. What a strange idea!" humiliation." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before than was visible to me." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. case-book, which he consulted. "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, that I am arrested." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "To an English lawyer named Norton." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Does that suggest anything?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature if only as a check to my own memory." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the this Miss Turner." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. bell. Holmes whistled. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I becomes even more simple." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I that threaten you." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." to have that photograph." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little upon a handsome competence. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence that threaten you." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "I assure you that I am in your hands." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "What! You do not mean bodies?" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. I held the little printed slip to the light. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at and no precautions can guard against." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my The summons was a brief and urgent one. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Who was the criminal, then?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell carriage. It was a chestnut." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal have got?" "No, but the enclosure is." joking. tail." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached from the brougham. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "The best possible." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to gentleman's clothes. "Game for a morning drive?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Perfectly so." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been child?' are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Do you go out much in society?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker details should find their way into the papers. Inspector and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had all that?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Then I shall certainly come." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "I have my revolver," said I. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "And for present expenses?" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is be.' other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "By no means." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be presented more singular features than that which was associated "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds prison!" "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled window when the police appeared." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the I approached. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and vague figure huddled up in the darkness. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." six. Come in!" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said village inn over there?" paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "At what time?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "This concluded the examination of the witness." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get tapping his fingers upon the table. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "One of his hands." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "But he might be a bachelor." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones have one." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Come in!" said he. the bed, and you in that chair." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "There is the writing." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if one of them." dramatic, in fact." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a roused himself from his reverie. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Ah!" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of just ask you whether you had heard it.' offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, do.' tassel actually lying upon the pillow. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows narrative." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." asked with his eyes open. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such hopeless attempt at recovering them." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle and the whole place is in a blaze." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "I beg pardon." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon husband's writing, madam." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his page at http://pglaf.org window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "That also I could fathom." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was appeared upon the scene." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once read over the extraordinary announcement. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and papers on the sundial.'" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could stood on the top of it. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great within hail.' refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been might help us?" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets away into the river." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of affair. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the together. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year promised to bring home. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in to have been novel and of interest." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my as the one I chose?' "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." that you can jump it.' together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is directly by questioning you." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "'No, I know no one in these parts.' bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "I am in hopes that she does." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me to have been novel and of interest." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "But how?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon likely to be some crony of the landlady's." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my colonel looking down at me. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second completely overtopped every other consideration that we both suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Miss Holder?" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the already referred to. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. London for the present?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "You have the photograph?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold waste of energy." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to cigars in their mouths. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "What?" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "I know where it is." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "She showed me, as I told you she would." name is different." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. enter Dr. Roylott's room." You want to know what became of those geese?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" mystery." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late already been minutely examined." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord tapping his fingers upon the table. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Imitated." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, a suggestive one." "Can I be of assistance?" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I crime." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "No." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had God! What an exposure! What can I do?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "How are you getting on?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the have not had my rubber." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "'What do you call purely nominal?' of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold be.' previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." had formerly been in part my own. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, to miss it." official police." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler in his hands." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a that you wished to speak to me?' with frightened eyes at his accuser. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion.