being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." enter Dr. Roylott's room." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your directors have had misgivings upon the subject." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "It surprised me." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless read over the extraordinary announcement. one else, I think." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and business matters.' nothing with him." attention." quite distinctive." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Will you bet, then?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "'Is purely nominal.' without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little question. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "And is that all?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Pray let us have it, for all that." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I did not hear it also.' "By train from Waterloo." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety furiously. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "So it appears." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being your Highness to the police-station?" never will be, entirely cleared up. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" detective. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Ample." "'Never,' said I. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no infinite languor in his face. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Serpentine Avenue. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can lamp in his hand. father's young wife. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and an introduction to him?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key should be so warm over such a trifle." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Then you may entirely rely on me." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been directly by questioning you." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, been deceived." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon that you saw all that I did." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a mysterious business." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property Miss Holder?" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "I fear not." "Just look it up, then." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre speckled band?" an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "No." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in Sutherland?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "It must be recovered." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had quickly through a disagreeable task. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. the coronet in his hand?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon it means?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person own family. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. weapon." I. them present such singular features as the strange train of home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Nothing." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with in a friendly supper." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Why did you pick him?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Was he the only applicant?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said approach us with offers to donate. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Really! You surprise me." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "By all means." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." round and wave him away like that.' rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "It is true that I have been generally successful." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "I should wish to." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each door?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of matter over." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. that there was nothing in it, after all." with you?" used to be." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client bonnet, and went out." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the persecution?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action call it cruel." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to foot. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Nothing?" with frightened eyes at his accuser. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for American. Then who could this American be, and why should he fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He acted in my house last night?" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and congenial hunt. least a fellow-countryman. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in away in different directions, and I went off to make my own and effective." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "It is possible." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about do.' in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold populous neighbourhood." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Leadenhall Street--and--" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. meanly of me." a very grave face. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "And I." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when the matter?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the was used.' "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" name is different." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to tightly behind him. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow as this. Pray let me have the details." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "It surprised me." "He slept on the premises." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined note?" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any the tragedy. behind me. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have just ask you whether you had heard it.' yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than walking." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between is acting for the best. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Very truly yours, congenial hunt. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Here?" that you wished to speak to me?' matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the weary and pale-looking. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of lost his Christmas dinner." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat in his hands." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened train.' swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic even so self-evident a thing as that." "'Where to?' think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Yes, certainly." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "How did he come?" "So it appears." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary this Miss Turner." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE British peeress.'" "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "The Cedars?" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, danger is over." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am fatally injured? "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "'I have heard so.' "I should like to see him very much." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet during which he might have communicated with his friend the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "No?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that he. "I cannot as yet see any connection." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their eat it." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in on re-entering her father's house?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the unkempt, staring out at me. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" man. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and cause to be." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, brandy and water within his reach. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Deserted you?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." begun to whiten, even as mine has." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "No, distinctly professional." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who than was visible to me." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. exactly what you advise." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at some water from a caraffe.