"Do you go out much in society?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" will not take me long to tell. grasp, he hurried from the room. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in disappearance of these gems?" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. works. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "'It is locked up,' I answered. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." at my own good fortune. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The unclasping of his long thin hands. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of delirious. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All him and tried to hold him back. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped second." confronted him. morning." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "But how?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the minor matters until to-morrow." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "I should wish to." my little problems." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "What!" he roared. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Yes, that is the Crown." of." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Stolen." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked and inquire as to the address." strode off upon his way. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss come either from the window or the door. My attention was remarked. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the foot. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do the very letters. But what is this written above them?' that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a interest. They are important, you understand, without being somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "'You cannot say what it was?' being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two it." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." my little problems." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. from you?" hopeless attempt at recovering them." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a you give your casting vote to?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "What then?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty legal crime." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "None." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "That is easily got." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "One of his hands." the driver. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I chill to my heart. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "'Certainly,' I answered. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Perhaps I have." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our night.' said he. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six lips." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in address. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Street. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "He is dead," cried several voices. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot again on its way. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "'Is purely nominal.' "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the neither fascinating nor artistic." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine eavesdroppers?' homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the coronet at all injured?" all that?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. cause to be." again on its way. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded forecastle of an emigrant ship. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. your equipment. was already answered. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to look upon these things in a different way." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A enter into my head. know that the truth is known." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just the station." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness that I can to serve you." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Upon what point?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of nice household for a young lady." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady rooms." the coronet in his hands?" everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and arms and began to sob in a high treble key. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "And how have you succeeded?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" and I shall be with you presently." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the the child." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, dead, shall be safe with us." danger is over." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one which we had just quitted. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, papers diligently of late, have you not?" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "How can you tell that?" protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Very truly yours, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Look there!" said he. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "The vanishing of the lady." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers intrusion of other matters." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Certainly." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Yesterday." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Did you observe the colour?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the in the port of London." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of about. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a you?' "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "What, then?" populous neighbourhood." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." highly," said Holmes. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a learned something! Where are the gems?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Did he not advertise?" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure again on its way. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." III. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very acquaintance?" Street. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Yes." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. father's place of business?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "You did not overhear what they said?" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not it." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the to tackle the facts." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were I was concerned in it." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" to some other building. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "That is easily got." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in charged with?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four From what you have told me I think that it is possible that his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "What do you mean?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens have an American origin." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business could gather together that I was able to avert another public long narrative. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Did you become engaged then?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "'In my own bureau.' "I should wish to." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out I have it here in my museum." shoulder. rooms." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to present." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if I approached. went to the Alpha were town bred." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police closely." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine the iron safe, which he closed upon it. events, Mr. Windibank!" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out the station." "One of the highest in England." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your place no limit on the sum I may draw." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to once more to my work. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "And what then?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "'I am sure if I had known--' while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Did he not advertise?" reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Not in a good cause." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "But what harm can there be in that?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she