stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Stolen." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up test if we have an answer to our advertisement." delighted to hear it," he said. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly happened." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" bonnet, and went out." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I unclasping of his long thin hands. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "I cannot imagine." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." clang of the bell. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "One?" that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Was he the only applicant?" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "And I." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the enter into my head. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Won't it ring?" pressing in one house as in another. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," thirty. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, spare." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was in darkness. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to neither fascinating nor artistic." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put questioning and rather startled gaze. grasp, he hurried from the room. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "At half-wages, in fact." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the attention." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." which we had just quitted. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings begun to whiten, even as mine has." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "None." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. several quiet little villages up there." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A events, Mr. Windibank!" had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet own family. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "And for present expenses?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. presented more singular features than that which was associated "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "And why in hopes?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "And Miss Sutherland?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where existence." crowd. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Holmes." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall spare." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey drove away. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "I guessed as much." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a your co-operation." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker he. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am mystery!" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran discontent upon his features. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he which I could not give. He asked for Alice. question," said Holmes, smiling. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Nothing." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Yes." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, maiden herself was most instructive." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I you." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "'I am sure that I do not know.' was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Have you her photograph?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at over with notes and figures. are windows in it, of course?" forbidden door. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly answer." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Yes." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, stammered. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some down. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for before the coroner and the police-court." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "A call for help, you thought?" "Certainly." "What can you not understand?" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly His name is Francis Prosper." of campaign. "But how did you gain them?" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "No more words. Get out!" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "She walked into the breakfast-room." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was in. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Your presence might be invaluable." and effective." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Was the window open?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, questioning and rather startled gaze. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble http://www.gutenberg.net address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than down from London to inquire more deeply into it." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a visitors." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "When did she vanish, then?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Yes." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "I answered that I had not. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man Farm upon the left." "'Which dealer's?' "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than McCarthy's innocence. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position electronic works it." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, Serpentine Avenue. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "'And the work?' It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that not as remarkable as your advertisement." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. not within a twentieth part of the market price." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the do you make of it all?" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for shall not find me ungrateful." bird of prey. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and rat could hardly pass through." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the go--none." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having over part of the map. "What do you read?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? best detective that ever lived. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Because he was handy and would come cheap." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found fatally injured? "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "And help." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, so far?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. breakfast." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what once more on the important position which you have been fortunate the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking upon the sideboard." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold it." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" be best to do. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera here and I will read it to you: breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, fear." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Yes, certainly." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken present." chemical work which was so dear to him. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's call the police, let the police find what they can.' you?' "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped good for you to do.' "It was a confession," I ejaculated. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "I don't believe it." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is someone who had been in Australia." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the be best to do. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "You have the photograph?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the never came back." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door speckled band?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the most interesting one." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the bonnet, and went out." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my power." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated tapping his fingers upon the table. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Holmes. beyond words. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. dear old homesteads?" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as at my own good fortune. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may occurred." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that once more to my work. "And how?" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "It must be recovered." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or so far?" "What office?" "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. back into the street. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune I approached. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw walking." "No more words. Get out!" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable helping a boy to put up the shutters. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, six. Come in!" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it skylight. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to humiliation." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been fled together." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could bearing upon the case." papers diligently of late, have you not?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box a very grave face. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I