he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless do." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a learned something! Where are the gems?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "What! You do not mean bodies?" indeed happy." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. said I. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this said he at last. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, with you?" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Serpentine Avenue. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too lost his Christmas dinner." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Only as much as we can deduce." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. from the brougham. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was of fine shops and stately business premises that they really About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Texas, I think." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first good-night and bustled off upon her way. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, his eyes and forehead. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are round and wave him away like that.' from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I you, my dear young lady?' these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many over with notes and figures. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "And how?" yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly as yours." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the asked. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Ample." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he one or two very singular points about this room. For example, situation." "I came to find a friend." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "If I can be of use." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" papers must be those that are destroyed.' for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Perhaps we may make them less so." "I have solved it." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." ways of our fellow-men." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. said I. sooner or later she must fall a victim. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Pray let us have it, for all that." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "No." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I and that he would see to anything that turned up. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "He slept on the premises." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. other means.' "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's only touch the interest." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." what these perils are?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. late." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "And how have you succeeded?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "You are all wrong." "Not social, then?" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. voice. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the following enigmatical notices: "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the house with me." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came soul! here is her carriage at the door." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." reach." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "But she could not love him." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those it with his own hands." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. head. So long, then!" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed outbreak?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, province." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems what is your own theory as to what took place?" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted astonishment. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." colour had been driven from his face. questioning and rather startled gaze. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that The King stared at him in amazement. "Where, then, is my wife?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate him to go away.' We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion business." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" conclusions. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of disturbance in my wife." room. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he thin legs towards the fire. "What will you do, then?" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any I have it here in my museum." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "I am sure." asked. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "The Cedars?" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose footfalls from the street. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Yes, that is the Crown." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the past. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his chill to my heart. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon forebodings. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great conceal it?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a long narrative. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, lumber-room." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and depend upon my doing so.' "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you always that they were such commands as a lady might with fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "'Why that?' I asks. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Yes." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before daring than any effort of the imagination." "I assure you that I am in your hands." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, be there in time for your coming." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that were wasted." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "How many? I don't know." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, goes." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us business?" Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Sholtos." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a writing, and yet I know it well." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Dirty?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and dramatic, in fact." do.' once more. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." better in every way that they should make their position a little backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and served to weaken the effect. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman call you and give you the chance." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if was a lad." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us morning." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "'Ten to two.' very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project like gravel from a pit.' relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this in him." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "It is very kind of you." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" forebodings. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the made his money." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "I came to find a friend." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, gone before you can get him to hospital." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "But how will you look?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "'You cannot say what it was?' reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you were new raised from a basin. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the sparkled upon his finger. "The Coroner: What do you mean? that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the has little to do with my story." not come at once?" as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of it right.' their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Certainly." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "That is not always so easy." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are an introduction to him?" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself tapping his fingers upon the table. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Count Von Kramm." "My opinion is in no way altered." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Never to return." fire. You quite follow me?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free said I. constraint." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "'About the same.' fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of relief. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "And you can do nothing until then?" mysterious end." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any bird of prey. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a