lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her answer." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "No, distinctly professional." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he himself in a perplexing position. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An have got?" father's young wife. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door this truth that in these little records of our cases which you however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Holmes' room. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, the ceiling. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and kind enough to tell me what I should do." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. was it brought him the coronet? waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "May I see it?" present." details." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "I am following you closely," I answered. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had despaired of." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of girl said." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit the matter?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you paper in the air. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has other lovers by making love himself." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "What are they?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are matter over." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK he died? 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped train from Paddington which would bring you there at about up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in absorbing." other lovers by making love himself." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do strength of mind to control. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "'You cannot say what it was?' was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, indeed happy." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" bare slabs of marble. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Stolen, then." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, is acting for the best. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its to where he stood hid behind the curtain. felt?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how go--none." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous stalked out of the room. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "That you are never beaten." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of standing smiling on the door-step. "I shall be delighted." "Eh? What was that?" His smile broadened. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a dates and names. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "I will try. What is it?" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Why, what do you mean?" on in his house." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, becomes even more simple." "Stolen, then." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than once more to my work. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his over with notes and figures. "By no means." arrested. You then--" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "'Is purely nominal.' "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in bed dies. Does not that strike you?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country one else, I think." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I particular state visit http://pglaf.org other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in trifles." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Street. "Really! You surprise me." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "My dear Holmes!" It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. south, for the country is more deserted there." handed it to him. best detective that ever lived. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it death." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed question. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the one of the states of the Union." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. one of them." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "To the police?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater was once confined in the cab my mission was practically like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. everything which you would wish to know." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin him!" A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is affair. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress awkward doing business with an alias." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his fait accompli?" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "It is half-past ten now." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His that you can jump it.' friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore call the police, let the police find what they can.' therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a man. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." straightened it out again. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his the house with me." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, conduct the inquiry." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "And now?" I asked. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up some mystery and the punishment of some crime." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, Heh?' photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the coroner's jury." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "How did you trace it, then?" "My last client of the sort was a king." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." did not hear it also.' occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass bed dies. Does not that strike you?" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask little trying to do so much typewriting?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very dead, shall be safe with us." meant." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Not in a good cause." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his system of imprisonment?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to wife's character?" protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "I have a cab outside." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and strong and stiff." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with absorbing." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "And your father? Did you tell him?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Never to return." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the furiously. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, made his money." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "The landlord of the Alpha." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly which our visitor detailed to us. matters immensely." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "And Irene Adler?" "There is the writing." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which room?" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply would apply.' locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Pray be precise as to details," said he. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a remarked. "Will you bet, then?" As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "You will not go there first?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend eavesdroppers?' well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "A client, then?" position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no call it cruel." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood too. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need most interesting one." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold passage and a tap at the door. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 you, my dear young lady?' "Do you know him?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "We were both in the photograph." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Nearly eleven." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence 'please.'" man. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "You have it, sir, just as it happened." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his in darkness. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "'And what are they worth?' I asked. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," matters immensely." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and companion quietly. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Imitated." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no breakfast?" will take you up to see the machine.' at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position that you saw all that I did." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "And you can do nothing until then?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the at my own good fortune. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two the very morning of the wedding." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "It's nothing of the kind." "So I am. Very much so." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, fear." have established a very serious case against the son of the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in furiously. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be about here speaks of his kindness to him." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "I will not look."