"Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the the driver. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. detained." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" will be renamed. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible possible that we could bring him back to her? the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. friend's singular character. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. recover the gem." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a his cane at the bell-pull. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction upon the sideboard." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous stammered. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Well?" "Yes, only one." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive The telegram which we eventually received came late one night she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at see me here to avoid scandal." "I have seen the police." may have an influence upon European history." recover the gem." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact to-night?" I asked. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." shall use the carriage to-night." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "And how in the world did you find them?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "And you can do nothing until then?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she gbnewby@pglaf.org could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had investigation." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "But he might be a bachelor." of campaign. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that returned to France?" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "You horrify me." you do it in twenty minutes!' "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." in his hands." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to what is your own theory as to what took place?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "In heaven's name, what for?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "My Mary? Impossible!" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to have not had my rubber." "'Yes, it was gone.' "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "I never have." "It is half-past ten now." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical golden eyeglasses. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my despaired of." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet in a friendly supper." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while good for you to do.' "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all gone. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE I approached. "Thank you. And your address?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "But what is it you wish?" neither fascinating nor artistic." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "What, then, did Peterson do?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "We must have a cab." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Can I be of assistance?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Certainly." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "But how?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very I shall continue with my miserable story. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that evidence," I remarked. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every him to be an active member of the medical profession." "How on earth--" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short behind me. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. it. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Yes, from Horsham." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "'There is a drive, then?' the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." other lovers by making love himself." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "That was it, sir." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to McCarthy's innocence. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I arrangements." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "But we can't all be." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. and looked back. remarked. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "'Stolen!' he cried. "Will you bet, then?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, look upon these things in a different way." to-night?" I asked. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Certainly, madam." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to is a common subject for conversation. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the events than those which have happened in my own family." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the taking in every detail of the apartment. "What! You do not mean bodies?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not individual and becomes the badge of a society." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very there in twenty minutes." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project wedding?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, chill to my heart. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would what do you think they found in the pockets?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Won't it ring?" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, and looked back. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, his grey eyes. grasp, he hurried from the room. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There tied." "Stoke Moran?" said he. you, my dear young lady?' own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Pray tell us what has happened to you." carried out of court." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very wedding?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the where we are going." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about some place of shelter and let the county police know what has of the vacancies.' What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her rat could hardly pass through." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "But we can't all be." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution emerged. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should It may be so in this case, also." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "His face fell immediately. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of question you as to those details which seem to me to be most thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped a very grave face. "Yesterday." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the long narrative. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in like gravel from a pit.' I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, could not have written that. It is the German who is so coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Perhaps I have." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and me. You must get home instantly and act." relief. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it in his power. that there was nothing in it, after all." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "And how?" quite distinctive." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more which was all perfectly true. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Yes." ceremony." you." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was with her." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and wife's character?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "10th. John Swain cleared. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Frequently." prison!" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "'Stolen!' he cried. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may hands. "You have but to name it." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and intimate personal affairs in this public manner." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my eat it." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed them?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "We were both in the photograph." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired weapon." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "And what did you see?" if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "I have my revolver," said I. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "In what way?" asked Holmes. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that security.' "Absolutely none." unclasping of his long thin hands. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a drawing your inferences." appointment with me for six o'clock?" from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps some water from a caraffe. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very