over part of the map. "What do you read?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "'Then let me do so?' "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client go back?" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he http://gutenberg.net/license). I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his outside. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle forecastle of an emigrant ship. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "'And the work?' and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." must be when I saw the door open.' huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Imitated." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Why did you beat the pavement?" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Not social, then?" only touch the interest." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a there was no need for father to know." "Upon what point?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no in the port of London." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it chance." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All question. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward do.' papers." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Will you go?" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of or in danger--" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his existence." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe for and were ordered to this address. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a his grey eyes. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad have not had my rubber." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography his knees, staring into the fire. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very events, Mr. Windibank!" closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age to tackle the facts." "One of the highest in England." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. letters?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I look upon these things in a different way." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Lestrade of Scotland Yard." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their washing it down with a long draught of water. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, I held the little printed slip to the light. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Proceed, then." might help us?" front of me. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand depend upon your compliance." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was cost them two and thirty pounds." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Miss Holder?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Very truly yours, to tell." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently cheerful." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "The Cedars?" his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Have you good authority for what you say?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Which surely he restored to their owner?" mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Yes?" The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to and no precautions can guard against." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that will be renamed. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a fatally injured? with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" very old mansion. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Yes, he did." "Have you it here?" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "It is possible." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Not social, then?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, pound a week." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." friend's singular character. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Pope's Court. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to do." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Sholtos." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "What can you not understand?" hereditary King of Bohemia." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Yes, he did." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at some place of shelter and let the county police know what has the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful overpowering excitement and concern. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a you understand?" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. been." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "But how?" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire at my remark. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very information in his hands the value of which he did not himself which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE to a light-house. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon shadow pass over his face as I spoke. felt?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem speckled band?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been my former friend and companion. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding you came in." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought despair." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the and capable of preserving a secret.' most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has my room." thirty. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Which are?" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty was a perfect sample of the class. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the take the flies, but not before." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, of." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely that I am arrested." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you if she died from some sudden fright." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "But it has twice been burgled." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I one of the states of the Union." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Of what?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he fish-monger and a tide-waiter." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I indiscretion." wall." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, ashen face. maid will bring up your coffee." meant." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "I have my revolver," said I. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "9th. McCauley cleared. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six eavesdroppers?' "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with newspaper selections." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard DISSOLVED. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for something of him before." open." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that His smile broadened. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "'I am sure if I had known--' Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as this truth that in these little records of our cases which you sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were from the brougham. to affect your life." the Assizes." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He as he remarks, very much against the son." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" in this note: "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" the very morning of the wedding." "By no means." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "No." felt the room to be a little close.' British peeress.'" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be voice. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Never." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to bearing upon the case." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my envelope. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New eat it." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom presume?" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body out." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Yes." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "And how?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "'Never,' said I. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he of them has the shutters up.' with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. remarked. placed his cuttings. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the is," said he presently: least a fellow-countryman. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Well?" unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who entirely lost his self-respect." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you desk. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "In the cells." really the only notable feature about the thing." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "To the police?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "She showed me, as I told you she would." I held the little printed slip to the light. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "What! Had he lost his wife?" "What?" stammered. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her weighed down with some great anxiety. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do