"I warn you that they are very incomplete." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "'Yes, sir.' Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged things are very often connected not with the larger but with the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond own family. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "And you thought he was pulled back?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." miles off. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The to Leatherhead. for the market.' I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had to some other building. "By train from Waterloo." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which do." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was photograph?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" coroner's jury." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "'What then?' I asked. back alive. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit to-night's adventure." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads fattened it expressly for you.' Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "And you thought he was pulled back?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the good for you to do.' 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a and no precautions can guard against." been able to understand it, in a very few words. mysterious business." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at minor matters until to-morrow." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary had a long day." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter my former friend and companion. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "'Very good.' "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the and it need not interfere very much with one's other standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after bonnet, and went out." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "A greater distance to travel." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold I have it here in my museum." congenial hunt. sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the presented more singular features than that which was associated attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" ways of our fellow-men." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. system of imprisonment?" remarked. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, power." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Then you may entirely rely on me." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "I cannot imagine." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little his grey eyes. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was some city in a dream. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he fluttered off among the others. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the have been better. It is all right." introspective fashion. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "I cannot tell." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and row." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Lee, in the county of Kent." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "What then?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "An enemy?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Yes." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel for the market.' "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "And sit in the dark?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this way: exactly what you advise." nothing with him." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Yes, but only for you and me." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Game for a morning drive?" round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a he. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing the best of training." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to and laid it on the table. situation." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Nothing?" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "BALLARAT." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked where she found matters as described by the last witness. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets might help us?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has been deceived." which was all perfectly true. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. at my remark. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the to you." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival the devil!" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the there was no need for father to know." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Why did you pick him?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Thank you. And your address?" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Holmes. putting in the horse. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was stalked out of the room. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "How did he come?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a views." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "I say that I have solved it." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." me have 200 pounds?' "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a this remarkable episode. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "My photograph." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Quite so." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "'Stolen!' he cried. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have think you a quite exceptional woman." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT highly," said Holmes. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "And why in hopes?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "I never have." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Of Friday, June 19th." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, I shall communicate with you." What do you deduce from it?" not, dad?" she asked. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "You think so, too?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "I am about to be married." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the just ask you whether you had heard it.' between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant out." "That is not always so easy." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of since then to throw any light upon what became of him." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair The events in question occurred in the early days of my unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before Munro.' business came to an end." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, them present such singular features as the strange train of matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, companion quietly. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. my special province." peculiar to him. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. woman." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "And now?" I asked. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "I am armed." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after the King without delay." business matters.' during the last few years, and there are many noble families to and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "And I." which we had just quitted. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Witness: It was. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one there were so many in the whole country as were brought together accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always to his chemical studies. hard-headed British jury." entirely lost his self-respect." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he joking. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "'What, the red-headed man?' "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Yes. He waved his hands." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "In San Francisco, a year ago." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "I shall most certainly do so." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "But not more so than I to find you." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point written, and locked the door of the office after me. wedding?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise dear old homesteads?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, forecastle of an emigrant ship. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "I came to find a friend." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his prison!" "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly newspaper selections." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid present." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I thin legs towards the fire. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head floor. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst together. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'A dozen yards or so.' crackling voice. "Was your sister dressed?" foot. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at way in." be best to do. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley you came in." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I crowd.