I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed when your master had gone out." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend gbnewby@pglaf.org as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, yourselves in at night?" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was ourselves in the office." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" gone before you can get him to hospital." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it who was a member of your goose club." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his here and I will read it to you: "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, trying to your nerves." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is the window, rose as we entered. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was is worth.' was lame." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most one's self under obligations.' contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this address. have not had my rubber." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the gigantic client. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a I am not easy in my mind about them." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Yes, but only for you and me." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "You have but to name it." fact, we may call it conclusive." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which occurred." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "I have my revolver," said I. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Where, then, is my wife?" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "I don't say that. Perhaps." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Here?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "'And what salary do you ask?' acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than there were one or two details which were new to me. But the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your 'please.'" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. it with his own hands." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his lost his Christmas dinner." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Of what?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, cheerful." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, John Swain, of St. Augustine. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I and it need not interfere very much with one's other without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and to that open window." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Murdered?" coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. thirty. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a window when the police appeared." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's forecastle of an emigrant ship. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your himself to hunt down. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "And for present expenses?" is acting for the best. what is your own theory as to what took place?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable to go into your room and bar your shutters?" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this for its centre. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "'What, the red-headed man?' freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if distinguish the words: puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no wedding?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend like gravel from a pit.' from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly already referred to. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." possible that we could bring him back to her? It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to coat-tails." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs characteristics, but those are the more obvious." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress allusion to a rat. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I and prosperity to your house. Good-night." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must for securing the situation." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "May I see it?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. indeed which he could not unravel. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I mysterious business." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do shoulder; "he's all right." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "I cannot tell." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the asked. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the thought that she would have been so carried away." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in them?" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than walking." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally kind enough to tell me what I should do." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of always that they were such commands as a lady might with father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door for securing the situation." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "I am following you closely," I answered. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the less than 26s. 4d. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." redistribution. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save client, rising. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really breakfast?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a was feeling which was the fattest.' outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two some city in a dream. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? highroad, where all traces were lost. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional to tell." him." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "I would give my fortune to have them back." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "No sign of it?" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom very old mansion. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in again, where I was soon asleep. "Yes." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "'And the work?' Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Can I be of assistance?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Farm upon the left." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his characteristics, but those are the more obvious." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. least a fellow-countryman. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him time." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." highroad, where all traces were lost. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "And help." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not this poor creature." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "My dear Holmes!" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" obstinate." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always not within a twentieth part of the market price." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Now, then, what's the last entry?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. away into the river." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "By all means." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "An accident, I presume?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Yes, certainly." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "But you can know nothing of this?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have down. you understand?" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare you." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that in a very precise fashion." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his meant." was not a bird to be seen there. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to better in every way that they should make their position a little "Then you may be so with me." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the very old mansion. "That sounds a little paradoxical." and effective." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our long narrative. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on are, and they are waiting for us." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." ourselves in the office." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Again Holmes raved in the air. "Holmes, the busybody!" with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in companion imperturbably. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An are, and they are waiting for us." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Surrey." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small in the dead of the night?' their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich your billet.' untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew as this. Pray let me have the details." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Certainly." "'Yes, sir.' gone. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that point in the dark hollow of his hand. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which crowd. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "And your father? Did you tell him?" derbies." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Nearly eleven." the little opening for the ventilator is." "'Yes, sir.' performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works young Openshaw's." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I