"No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Yes." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for your sleep?' suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Never." straighten it?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I the little opening for the ventilator is." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord back into the street. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "There is the writing." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," which are rolled in Rotterdam." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "I am following you closely," I answered. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Well, but China?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He children over to America with him, so that I found myself without to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "But she will refuse." situation." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less too. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and carried out of court." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, lost his Christmas dinner." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a door?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge nights." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "No sign of it?" the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "'Where to?' "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms the station." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "But we can't all be." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was in the port of London." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and you." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's were wasted." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate he. my special province." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to a room. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. have one." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Certainly." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. You want to know what became of those geese?" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he may have an influence upon European history." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Not yet." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "My dear Holmes!" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "No good news?" to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "That was it, sir." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I you, my dear young lady?' set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 along the entire front of the house, with three long windows editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. little adventures." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "By no means." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "I say that I have solved it." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a would apply.' man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Where does the thing come from?' and inquire as to the address." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Breckinridge is his name." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. my former friend and companion. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the chambers. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "'Yes, sir.' "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." heavily into it. ran thus: "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat have not had my rubber." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "And how?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I bears upon the case?" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the of it with the greatest attention. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, eavesdroppers?' crime." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. to miss it." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the door?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and himself to tell his story. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the looking up at the numbers of the houses." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." was feeling which was the fattest.' "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so my room." your Highness to the police-station?" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the when your master had gone out." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "How can you tell that?" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. dear old homesteads?" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little gigantic client. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: that?' once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "My stepfather's business papers." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged could gather together that I was able to avert another public you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "But how could you guess what the motive was?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Certainly." forebodings. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "In the cells." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which better in every way that they should make their position a little "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. know what is wrong with it.' a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "In heaven's name, what for?" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this to talk it over. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by correct than the official force." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled never came back." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, you do it in twenty minutes!' expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "You are hungry," I remarked. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." be there in time for your coming." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are this poor creature." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "It is solved." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready because she had spent so short a time in this country that she it." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "None." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "But to whom?" 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been British peeress.'" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you meant." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that arrangements." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet case-book, which he consulted. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Then, how do you know?" great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Pray continue your narrative." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "She told me to ask you." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. you?' purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "The gentleman I describe." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." are, I think, all that we need." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Yes, only one." he bowed and left the room without another word. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "But what harm can there be in that?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Does that suggest anything?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very tapping his fingers upon the table. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." the morning and make my own way in the world.' Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really that I can to serve you." "Game for a morning drive?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the remarked. "No, thank goodness, she did not." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Do you go out much in society?" "Yes." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms acted in my house last night?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "This concluded the examination of the witness." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "You think so, too?" business." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though once more to my work. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' may have an influence upon European history." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the at my remark. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, taking in every detail of the apartment. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in night.' said he. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Were they all fastened this morning?" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such developed." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since said I. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried placed his cuttings. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "The rest you will leave in our hands." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Never." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell relation between them, and what the object of his repeated uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had the date of his supposed suicide." The summons was a brief and urgent one. Arthur Conan Doyle "How can you tell that?" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "How can you tell that?" Pool. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." other, as fresh and trim as possible. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with