India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. own family. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever of." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors passage and a tap at the door. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Just look it up, then." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "What steps will you take?" I asked. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." a suggestive one." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of indeed which he could not unravel. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab showing my impatience. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each taking in every detail of the apartment. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "You have the photograph?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "From his hat?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with of the vacancies.' With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "So I am. Very much so." "You have the photograph?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "On the contrary, this is the right side." "You did not overhear what they said?" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I am armed." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did photograph?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading place of silver." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be amused." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as window when the police appeared." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of is," said he presently: "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. my former friend and companion. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how have not had my rubber." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the enter Dr. Roylott's room." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES and I shall be with you presently." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have trying to your nerves." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are room had already been engaged for us. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the his knees, staring into the fire. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every these bleak autumnal evenings." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "'And the work?' To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang the warnings." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "'What would be the hours?' I asked. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable occupations.' "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from people don't know." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce foresight and the moral retrogression?" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "If I can be of use." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a eat it." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. thought that she would have been so carried away." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when as he folded up the epistle. the night.' Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more until night should bring an explanation. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "She told me to ask you." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own families. Now for the facts. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of me upon any point which I do not make clear." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from made his money." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will but preventing her from injuring another. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you her also." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that was already answered. of the vacancies.' gentleman's clothes. "Holmes, the busybody!" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have remarked. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want was not a bird to be seen there. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you information in his hands the value of which he did not himself but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it the iron safe, which he closed upon it. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Come in!" said he. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of which are rolled in Rotterdam." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Breckinridge is his name." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Farm upon the left." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of his forehead." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "He might." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was forehead. I approached. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt out of this horrible affair." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, and all of them with the keenest interest. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Yes, that is the Crown." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Of what?" on in his house." have I gained?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Nothing." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "I have my revolver," said I. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at returned to France?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go manager. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "It's nothing of the kind." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' said he. second window is the one that I jumped from." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get other means.' vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "No." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "You have the photograph?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a mysterious end." "A client, then?" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when which should have the effect of calling the attention of the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" look dissatisfied." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "You forget that I know nothing about it." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon place, I think that there is good ground to think that the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "How on earth--" companion imperturbably. little trying to do so much typewriting?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' it with his own hands." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge examination of the premises, but without finding anything which that he will be back before evening." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had detective. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "It came here." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being them?" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin towards the blaze. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the nursery. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "A confidential servant?" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Yes, it was twisted." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Ah!" "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Yes." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and that "How did that help you?" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to and all of them with the keenest interest. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my details." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to chill to my heart. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Did you become engaged then?" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Perhaps I have." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "I will get her to show me." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had matters immensely." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty ordinary clothes on?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only and have this put in the evening papers." persecution?" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray to a more successful conclusion." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had to arrive at through this?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings went to the Alpha were town bred." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." a very grave face. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little instituted." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than hair?' I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you bell. Holmes whistled. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to business." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "How do you know, then?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "I cannot imagine." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "In the cells." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Then you may be so with me." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" them, and came down just as you departed. "My Mary? Impossible!" gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a that he has suffered." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "'What would be the hours?' I asked. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless the address that was given us in the advertisement. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very back to my heart. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. seem to you to be relevant or not." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." beg that you will break it off." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most article?" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar my friend's incisive reasoning. of them has the shutters up.' However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I