"'What then?' I asked. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from during which he might have communicated with his friend the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to wedding?" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "He said that you could solve anything." "What will you do, then?" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "That was it, sir." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. just called myself is not exactly my own." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Clair, of Lee." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one which it had come upon my father." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of placed his cuttings. correct than the official force." "How do you know, then?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as occupations.' "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." chemical work which was so dear to him. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "But his lameness?" "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors II. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue important." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the husband's writing, madam." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "He might." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no outsides of the windows. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold redistribution. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to easy-going way." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "What office?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "There are none." are, I think, all that we need." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "In what way?" asked Holmes. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm results." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." shall not find me ungrateful." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in was the fact that his father should, according to his account, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "How did that help you?" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, emerged. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might visitors." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw him, that man would not have given me such complete information time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Precisely so. But how--" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which as he folded up the epistle. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall ventilator." giving me time to thank him. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "How often?" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. go back?" "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss new acquaintance to Baker Street. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are that I can to serve you." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too suspect him." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in new duties?' "Upon what point?" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon infinite languor in his face. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "I would pay ten." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed delirious. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Not I." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Does that suggest anything?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent that you wished to speak to me?' I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a neither fascinating nor artistic." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle that "Has he come with you to-night?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I only touch the interest." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock I was concerned in it." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a For additional contact information: follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." look dissatisfied." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so it." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the what do you think they found in the pockets?" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you note?" a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. not, dad?" she asked. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close your billet.' We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it yet." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Stoke Moran?" said he. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Of what day?" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of than was visible to me." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. in the dead of the night?' "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "What then?" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Quite so." words came to my lips. "It is a murder, then?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "He slept on the premises." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my mysterious business." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "'Never,' said I. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "My dear Holmes!" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Yes." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" heavily into it. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Very truly yours, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the morning and make my own way in the world.' his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so it with his own hands." indeed happy." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just the roots. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end mysterious end." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "I don't believe it." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on Mrs. Toller serenely. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door the very letters. But what is this written above them?' of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Not social, then?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind and your relations to her." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I second." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some whatever might befall. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is hopeless attempt at recovering them." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been opened a pocket-book and took out a note. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "In answer to an advertisement." "Thank you. Pray proceed." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. appeared upon the scene." it. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "And what then?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "No." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." attention." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. bird I ate is country bred." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a or other trace. But how on earth--" observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Dr. Becher's." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I his grey eyes. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so was a lad." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "And you don't know his address?" II. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. memory. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." The summons was a brief and urgent one. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that children over to America with him, so that I found myself without sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." opportunities to fix the problem. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. how narrow had been my escape. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but away to you." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, your co-operation." "It's nothing of the kind." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. hurried by. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the key turn in the lock." upon the sideboard." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "'Yes, sir.' see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. started for the Temple to see my husband. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account distinguish the words: "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Did he not advertise?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' but preventing her from injuring another. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the than was visible to me." one which it was hard to resist. there when the Rucastles went away." when your master had gone out." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry geese which you supplied to the Alpha." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "But we can't all be." persecution?" "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat lamp in his hand. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging main points of my analysis." him to be an active member of the medical profession." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Again Holmes raved in the air. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project of the efforts of the United States government and of the better eavesdroppers?' and looked back. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I question. call you and give you the chance." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE as he remarks, very much against the son." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone the station." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I one else, I think." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he your bag." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still Sutherland. the dangers which encompass me." "It is his hat." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of read over the extraordinary announcement. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped have established a very serious case against the son of the and wait." evidence," I remarked. "Nearly eleven." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right you?' of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting said he. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he