"What I expected to see." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in side. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm desk. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing side. "Witness: Nothing definite. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "'I am sure that I do not know.' "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Ah!" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Because he was handy and would come cheap." to arrive at through this?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a tightly behind him. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been considering the formidable letters which were received by himself know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Precisely." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. and I shall be with you presently." "Was there a secret marriage?" think that he is innocent?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to any more." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the conclusions. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET present." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away For additional contact information: "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "What then?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the written, and locked the door of the office after me. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing an introduction to him?" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation appeal." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring quickly through a disagreeable task. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Sutherland. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom foot. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous so far?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very photograph?" narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting hurried away. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate in your London, you will know that the office of the company is of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the leave you to your papers for a little." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, floor. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the opened the door, and slipped through. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his ourselves in the office." "Yes." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others desk. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "But how will you look?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate o'clock is it?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Will you go?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "It's nothing of the kind." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "'What do you call purely nominal?' expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been The King stared at him in amazement. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "An accident, I presume?" shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem as this. Pray let me have the details." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a companion. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he she might be summoned. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' was used.' which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a following enigmatical notices: Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to ill-usage at the hands of fortune. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover hard-headed British jury." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might that he has suffered." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. of the way of danger. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any soul! here is her carriage at the door." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "You think so, too?" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. crowd. what these perils are?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free the station." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it cheerful." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out not come at once?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before that?' sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Do you go out much in society?" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "And who is her maid?" photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten and laid it on the table. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with off." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Your sister is dead, then?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which you in your example." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "I was sure that I might rely on you." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, of the vacancies.' of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the man. I know him from the photograph." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of get her out of the way." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. mysterious business." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "One of the highest in England." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Leadenhall Street--and--" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man sneer upon his pale face. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Only as much as we can deduce." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. ago." "Pray continue your narrative." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said the station." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free bachelor.' zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich the window, rose as we entered. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Always." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their will take you up to see the machine.' form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable the stable lane now." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "My private note-paper." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son late!' true." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" call it cruel." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it such person." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa and wait." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the nonsense.' immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my his face. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." generous with you in money matters.' scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him bedroom door." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you ourselves in the office." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "What then?" "Dirty?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." on re-entering her father's house?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips and your relations to her." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Holmes' face clouded over. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out habit of advancing money.' foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old depend upon my doing so.' akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "We were both in the photograph." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. upon an income of about 60 pounds." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my that threaten you." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen nice household for a young lady." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be not come at once?" shaken than I had ever seen him. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "And how did you find out?" "The doctor?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Which surely he restored to their owner?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I disturbance in my wife." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." galvanised. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in the tragedy. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you villagers almost as much as their master. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "We have tried and failed." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' I have it here in my museum." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Then, as to money?" liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his not come at once?" "'In my own bureau.' mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "'And the work?' hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "You have but to name it." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & will not take me long to tell. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in what is your own theory as to what took place?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment details." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "From his hat?" them?" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, or other trace. But how on earth--"