volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I front of the hall door has given its name to the place. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones What do you deduce from it?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if were new raised from a basin. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" already referred to. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in notes," he said. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my passage and a tap at the door. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "And how have you succeeded?" "Get out!" said he. "But it has twice been burgled." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." this unhappy family?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend outsides of the windows. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do himself to hunt down. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "'Yes.' "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over will he say when he returns?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no only touch the interest." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I detective. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "He might." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "'In my own bureau.' occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "It may not come to that," said Holmes. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Was he the only applicant?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am letters?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, strength." this Miss Turner." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Precisely." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "This concluded the examination of the witness." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no that you can jump it.' ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. than was visible to me." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Come in!" said Holmes. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "No, distinctly professional." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. three of the beryls in it, was missing. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a the Assizes." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH situation." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes individual and becomes the badge of a society." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "'What do you call purely nominal?' river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" III. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and go back?" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and third from London." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Have you good authority for what you say?" his knees, staring into the fire. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close delirious. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, hardly wander." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. do.' "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my all-comprehensive glances. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at redistribution. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, the salesman. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it made him keep the appointment." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave him to go away.' journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret salesman. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in know all about it," he snarled. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door against a man in the prime of life?" "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Deserted you?" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Your sister is dead, then?" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his and put his glass in his pocket. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear unprecedented a position." away to you." again on its way. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is highroad, where all traces were lost. hopeless attempt at recovering them." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to fact, we may call it conclusive." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's stalked out of the room. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own affair. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "You did not overhear what they said?" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was hair?' it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "'Yes, sir.' drove away. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. your own bird, so if you wish--" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that of." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "That also I could fathom." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "It is his hat." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an investigation." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were as yours." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "But what harm can there be in that?" some water from a caraffe. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took digesting their breakfasts at home." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Not I." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of colonel looking down at me. tell him that I know him to be innocent." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I to-morrow." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We not, dad?" she asked. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the next day. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "'You cannot say what it was?' "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that villagers almost as much as their master. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I some mystery and the punishment of some crime." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his enough to aid us in our search." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Thank you. Pray proceed." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential wife's character?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his approach us with offers to donate. "But what is it you wish?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Arthur Conan Doyle woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "But what harm can there be in that?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "What office?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "My dear Holmes!" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so was once confined in the cab my mission was practically been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend must compliment you." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which and capable of preserving a secret.' must compliment you." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "That also I could fathom." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming case before our client came into the room." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her becomes even more simple." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before for securing the situation." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Where does the thing come from?' We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you the Friday. Was it to be in church?" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Then you may be so with me." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, to Leatherhead. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all call the police, let the police find what they can.' He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite into the room. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of when your master had gone out." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "'And the work?' something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as was it brought him the coronet? boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have along the entire front of the house, with three long windows purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a for securing the situation." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Absolutely none." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "And why in hopes?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Witness: Nothing definite. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece shoulder. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the in him." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Then, how do you know?" beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was second." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we politicians who had been sent down from the North. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right and a shock of very red hair. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "'Yes, sir.' him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in