would apply.' safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which will find little credit to be gained out of this case." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of keep the flames under. mysterious business." to tell." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You was feeling which was the fattest.' Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And what these perils are?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I you." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when country, and eventually married, without anyone having a down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my returned to France?" "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Young McCarthy must be got off, however." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual we went to search for him, face downward in a little "But I have heard all that you have heard." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have maid will bring up your coffee." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Quite so." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. a suggestive one." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down putting in the horse. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Bought." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the not come at once?" sufficient punishment." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "I don't believe it." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have will find little credit to be gained out of this case." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." green of the new foliage. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most look upon these things in a different way." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Holmes, the busybody!" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Yes, he did." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "'Entirely.' Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got his wife has ceased to love him." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. me where it went to?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "To ruin me." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "What is it, then--a fire?" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid intimate personal affairs in this public manner." carpenter." highroad, where all traces were lost. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Who by?" other lovers by making love himself." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said money should be paid at once.' in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, the date of his supposed suicide." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst married her." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook that is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who the Assizes." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, mysterious end." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some showing my impatience. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, of campaign. read it out to me." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and could gather together that I was able to avert another public "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were breakfast." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, both be extremely obliged.' heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, like gravel from a pit.' heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Then how many are there?" was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and orange pips. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Holmes, the busybody!" the running down." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you the coronet in his hand?" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "In what way?" asked Holmes. Literary Archive Foundation whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in shoulder. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is him." been shamefully used." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Dark enough and sinister enough." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang newspaper selections." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had papers on the sundial.'" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the least a most suspicious remark." "I say that I have solved it." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." recover the gem." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being spark where all is dark to me." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I do you make of it all?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "I know where it is." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of the side-table." the stones. photograph?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing suddenly upon us." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has conclusions. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Entirely." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "'Which dealer's?' who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is power." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "I am to be neutral?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings said he. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Could he throw no light?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But the Assizes." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the girl said." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." his face which made him a very different person to the round, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her nonsense.' goes." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I room had already been engaged for us. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "In which, sir?" wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions were new raised from a basin. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "I will try. What is it?" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring she might be summoned. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with gentleman's clothes. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Where is it, then?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, locked." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and interest. They are important, you understand, without being He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a unclasping of his long thin hands. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during presented more singular features than that which was associated is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave been deceived." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Yes, I have one waiting." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You means taking possession of that which another person has a prior this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "No." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "But you were on a friendly footing?" "And from a noble client?" of." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a seen the man in the road." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations from you?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to hard-headed British jury." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "No?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." John Swain, of St. Augustine. Street. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "What are they?" "Of what?" greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building McCarthy." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of leaning back in his chair. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. row." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point that before taking the final step I should like to submit the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser my little problems." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "What steps will you take?" I asked. Doctor, of the paper and the date." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet just called myself is not exactly my own." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to clang of the bell. "Dirty?" lost nothing by them." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Has he come with you to-night?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "I am to be neutral?" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "She told me to ask you." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to you?' Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up own family. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "No sign of it?" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" arrested. You then--" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white one else, I think." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Yes, but only for you and me." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a said he. sound at heart." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "But his lameness?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with to take care of herself." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you read over the extraordinary announcement. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most