them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "The Cedars?" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns his eyes and forehead. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' miles off. system of imprisonment?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works occurred." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may business came to an end." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Was your sister dressed?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different was a lad." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness could not account in any way for the presence of the missing towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "On Monday." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle discontent upon his features. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project coroner's jury." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "'Where to?' reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told ceremony." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for lectures into a series of tales." the dangers which encompass me." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began asked with his eyes open. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his some terrible trap for her." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is to take care of herself." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to than was visible to me." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You unprofitable." "No, thank goodness, she did not." compunction about shooting them down." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I name is different." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. some city in a dream. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling my secret was safe in his possession. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." putting in the horse. entirely devoid of interest." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some The police have openly confessed that they can at present make and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, it with his own hands." with the outside air!" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Quite so. She has her freedom." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Have you it here?" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "But you can know nothing of this?" meant it for the best. "Of what day?" in. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "To an English lawyer named Norton." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a nice household for a young lady." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Miss Holder?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same or in danger--" rat could hardly pass through." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but business?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second she used." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "'Yes, sir.' Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Dr. Becher's." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." voice. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one that I am arrested." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems throat." recover the gem." is a common subject for conversation. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the have established a very serious case against the son of the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the next day. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his that, and I came down." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Yes." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round mystery may be cleared along those lines." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray to-night?" I asked. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "You horrify me!" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "What then?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at it. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, coat-tails." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "'Ample.' "Well, it is a possible supposition." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "And how did he make his money?" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "And you thought he was pulled back?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The you give your casting vote to?" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Not yet." foresight and the moral retrogression?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "I see no marks." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "'Oh, no.' dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" of it with the greatest attention. delighted to hear it," he said. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "'I have already given you my word.' from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand horse could go." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Dr. Becher's." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, thirty. you do it in twenty minutes!' deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. mysterious business." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "No, I think that I'll take it." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was fattened it expressly for you.' you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider the inquest, and which are worth considering." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike o'clock is it?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my best detective that ever lived. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Nothing." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed night.' said he. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a hair?' for its centre. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this some terrible trap for her." "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Yes, all." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me public press." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been conduct the inquiry." "That was it, sir." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather best detective that ever lived. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "But how?" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward as yours." strode off upon his way. "I have solved it." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the about here speaks of his kindness to him." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." brain must have something in it." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying least a most suspicious remark." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" whole matter to your consideration." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there of a light. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Yes, all." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Witness: It was. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I occurred." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful without a word or a look. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to assist you in forming an opinion." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Eyford." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been where she found matters as described by the last witness. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which a very grave face. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "At what time?" "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From national property. I was determined that the law should have its two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and becomes even more simple." "A greater distance to travel." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are presume?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, later, upon the night of May 2nd." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do furiously. "That also I could fathom." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." I took the paper from him and read as follows: emerged. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no think you a quite exceptional woman." and laid it on the table. it right.' deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" What do you deduce from it?" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "I cannot imagine." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "You know me, then?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other writer." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out walking." your most interesting statement." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. foresight and the moral retrogression?" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "I would pay ten." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the thought that she would have been so carried away." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Then I do not see the point." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a distance from the station, and there we found the young lady 'please.'" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET about. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "I know where it is." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." danger is over." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be get the tickets." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang have been better. It is all right." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case key turn in the lock." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very better grown goose." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in