"'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Who by?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the house with me." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "On your arm?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "I assure you that I am in your hands." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any eat it." my special province." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "It looks newer than the other things?" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall answer." is," said he presently: "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Street. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told James Windibank. Voilà tout!" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at so far?" daring than any effort of the imagination." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "You have but to name it." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a outside." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "It surprised me." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up feature." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it on re-entering her father's house?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek said he. "'What, the red-headed man?' at my own good fortune. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "And from a noble client?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of his forehead." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted in this way: low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Then you may be so with me." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Come in!" said he. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "You don't mind breaking the law?" 11:15.' boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. will he say when he returns?" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, away into the river." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the papers diligently of late, have you not?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "That is possible." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and in the port of London." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a your billet.' had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, public press." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend it with his own hands." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for to some other building. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "My dear Holmes!" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "'Entirely.' thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until prove to be little relation between the different incidents of the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must client, rising. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. from you?" the coronet at all injured?" "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique felt?" circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the not fit the lock." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand trifles." forbidden door. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has arrested. You then--" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold quickly through a disagreeable task. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If tassel actually lying upon the pillow. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. head. So long, then!" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out crackling voice. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my late!' you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must tell me that you intended to go into harness." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "It missed him, then?" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and bird I ate is country bred." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let against a man in the prime of life?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman to change my dress. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, mysterious end." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his whereabouts. "Entirely." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! seven miles from Eyford Station.' for the market.' I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her locked." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a were unconscious?" The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Precisely." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Edgeware Road. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I photograph a cabinet?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Quite so." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, have one." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock and the church but not where the lady lived." hair?' body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Awake, Watson?" he asked. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Look there!" said he. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been fear." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: had picked up in the wood. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "And leave your case unfinished?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For them?" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "'Yes, sir.' stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Nothing?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the the running down." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or opportunities to fix the problem. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would opportunities to fix the problem. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Will you bet, then?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one points in connection with it which never have been, and probably nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, back to my heart. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of yourselves in at night?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Arthur Conan Doyle upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for security.' "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek against a man in the prime of life?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a chair. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" tightly behind him. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as me upon any point which I do not make clear." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." everything which you would wish to know." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "But I am all in the dark." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." might have a private word with us. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the where she found matters as described by the last witness. "She walked into the breakfast-room." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I ordinary clothes on?" wedding?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, hair?' stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Then I do not see the point." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "It is a murder, then?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say not within a twentieth part of the market price." "It was." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "I see no marks." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable brandy and water within his reach. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts of the way of danger. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden me, and I could not think that his explanation of the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott woven round him. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell shoulder. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "And you can do nothing until then?" locked." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and ourselves in the office." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With use an arc-and-compass breastpin." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I The summons was a brief and urgent one. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. habit of advancing money.' a very grave face. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. fashion which was peculiar to him. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It once more to my work. nice household for a young lady." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the companion quietly. I. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "How did you trace it, then?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Yes." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! simple cases which are so extremely difficult." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "How do you know, then?" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by asked. "You know me, then?" protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. sneer upon his pale face. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever,