"Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit know that the truth is known." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few when your master had gone out." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an pictures, libraries, or plate. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "So I have heard." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "How did you trace it, then?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the individual and becomes the badge of a society." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "It is very clear." "What can you not understand?" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are door?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than the Assizes." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The Mary, has deserted me." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Very murderous indeed." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that which was all perfectly true. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "What I expected to see." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, have been better. It is all right." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "She showed me, as I told you she would." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the works. See paragraph 1.E below. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the me where it went to?" article?" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the there." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all over here." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "By all means." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke The events in question occurred in the early days of my it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the said he. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent business?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Is he quiet?" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Ha! you find it so?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "In which, sir?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London distance from the station, and there we found the young lady absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "'Stolen!' he cried. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "That is possible." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and the driver. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew third from London." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive a room. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates photograph a cabinet?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and putting in the horse. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some with her." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love crime." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Then you may be so with me." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the sake, don't!" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "I will do it." forbidden door. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the already referred to. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, you." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or dates and names. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in I am not easy in my mind about them." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an which was all perfectly true. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Was the window open?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "He is dead," cried several voices. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight see a sister of mine apply for." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "No, distinctly professional." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both and the church but not where the lady lived." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any me, and I could not think that his explanation of the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six bedroom door." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "So I am. Very much so." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Literary Archive Foundation empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two to arrive at through this?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but as he folded up the epistle. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. lamp. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I information in his hands the value of which he did not himself should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "But to whom?" works. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to constraint." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's the room while you explain this matter?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be father's young wife. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "One of his hands." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "I am in hopes that she does." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place matter over." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Did your wife hear all this?" in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my security.' Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to read it out to me." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "What will you do, then?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely them?" Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated the matter?" constraint." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the purpose of examination. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, her also." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "In what way?" asked Holmes. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew deduce something from that?" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his McCarthy." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "One?" felt?" became a certainty. "You forget that I know nothing about it." tell them apart.' He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very never came back." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "But who is he?" Cross for the Continent." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "You think so, too?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the girl said." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "No, thank goodness, she did not." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a bled considerably." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "I cannot imagine." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Sholtos." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I himself to tell his story. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his which should have the effect of calling the attention of the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my of campaign. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "And that is--" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "I was sure that I might rely on you." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." recover the gem." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is easy-going way." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a was a loud and authoritative tap. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "My dear Holmes!" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "That is possible." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day the south-west, I see." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from friends, not even his own brother. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as pierced for earrings?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Pray be precise as to details," said he. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate on re-entering her father's house?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though enough to aid us in our search." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "But what is it you wish?" the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' subject to the trademark license, especially commercial overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, quickly through a disagreeable task. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. where we are going." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was breakfast?" "Then, how do you know?" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Which surely he restored to their owner?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, attention." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with the general public were present, then?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "She will not sell." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" was shining brightly. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one following enigmatical notices: "'Tell me all about it,' said I. in my life." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Yes." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I chamber." fashion which was peculiar to him. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations was a lad." are, and they are waiting for us." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second nights." "One of the highest in England." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out of your young ladies.' implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the hurried away. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. approach us with offers to donate. gbnewby@pglaf.org