But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, my special province." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included be. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business But Holmes shook his head gravely. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive tassel actually lying upon the pillow. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "But she will refuse." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first carriage. It was a chestnut." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the do.' a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone disappearance of these gems?" "How do you know, then?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A to Leatherhead. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Where did you address your letters, then?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "How did that help you?" Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "I am all attention, madam." writer." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which during which he might have communicated with his friend the invisible to me," I remarked. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Pool. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet 'please.'" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the second." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the colonel looking down at me. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "No." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your and the colonel ushered me in. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "It is to him that this trophy belongs." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Thank you. And your address?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." arrested. You then--" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the King without delay." "Yes, the wine-cellar." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard outbreak?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria unprecedented a position." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I trying to your nerves." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our nonsense.' before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant secret." and the whole place is in a blaze." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Pray be precise as to details," said he. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Witness: It was. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "A confidential servant?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. sneer upon his pale face. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Yesterday." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a a few minutes he said that it would be all right. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." have one." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Murdered?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "I do." should be taken.' array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, matters immensely." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a stammered. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "And I say east," said my patient. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As tell them apart.' public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "'Yes, sir.' not as remarkable as your advertisement." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless seem to you to be relevant or not." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge London for the present?" photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael advice." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Imitated." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be a room. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "'How far from the body?' circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a one of the states of the Union." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were train from Paddington which would bring you there at about A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up forehead. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." to arrive at through this?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding voice, changing her seat as requested. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow when you have done it." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock fact, we may call it conclusive." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "I cannot say that I have." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his one's self under obligations.' "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Never." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "You think so, too?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Absolutely?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered it. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I you." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "'Certainly not. But why?' power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were gigantic client. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "None." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter handed it to him. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your must be when I saw the door open.' Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may is four-and-twenty." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "And that is--" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the light and attacked it." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. done what I asked you, Jones?" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Yes, all." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And sufficient punishment." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." character. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm interests were the same as his." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which congratulate you again." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." introspective fashion. "Where to?" peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Only as much as we can deduce." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "'There is a drive, then?' with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Project Gutenberg-tm works. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must was feeling which was the fattest.' you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper could not account in any way for the presence of the missing would then never go into court at all." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue time." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke this man was intellectual?" shall not find me ungrateful." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" that?' into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been families. Now for the facts. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a think that any burglar could have done. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Imitated." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in was a lad." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the south, for the country is more deserted there." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "No, I had a dozen." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my DISSOLVED. "I will try. What is it?" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. a monotonous occupation." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught things are very often connected not with the larger but with the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to begin with, and I had not got mine yet." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, your equipment. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who go back?" "No?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress DAMAGE. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general made his money." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be the coronet in his hands?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Pray tell us what has happened to you." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an the coroner come to?" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, something of him before." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." and capable of preserving a secret.' you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth more terrible than the truth. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." shoulder. appeal." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and note?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. be best to do. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "If I can be of use." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had formed some opinion?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by think that he is innocent?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Certainly." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses here." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do there was no need for father to know." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "The doctor?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love clang of the bell. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "But not more so than I to find you." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "I am to be neutral?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were intrusion of other matters." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us the little opening for the ventilator is." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. with her." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "'Where to?' presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was