"Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate this truth that in these little records of our cases which you civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. respectable self." tell them apart.' black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Did your wife hear all this?" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out friend's singular character. invisible to me," I remarked. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Eh? What was that?" matter over." "Yes." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "What, then, did Peterson do?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my that the gas is not laid on in his house?" significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which said I. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it to-night?' had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Yes, sir." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the helping a boy to put up the shutters. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Was there a secret marriage?" reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass married her." was a lad." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "'I am sure if I had known--' "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody despaired of." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always me have 200 pounds?' that you can jump it.' of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "But I have heard all that you have heard." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some see me here to avoid scandal." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, a monotonous occupation." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees in his power. "The knees of his trousers." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under visitors." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was situation." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was you do it in twenty minutes!' "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked like gravel from a pit.' who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Then he might have called to you?" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "You think that he is dead?" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. make me his representative both with the servants and with the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "It is half-past ten now." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Eh? What was that?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you in my life." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and posted to-day." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "The doctor?" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Was there a secret marriage?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Of Friday, June 19th." charge against him will break down." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' made him keep the appointment." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "I shall most certainly do so." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and astonishment. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open man. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "'Yes, sir.' you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very with you?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "I say it is." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it fluttered off among the others. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe discontent upon his features. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "'Where could I find him?' "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an better in every way that they should make their position a little cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always there in twenty minutes." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." pressing in one house as in another. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another strength of mind to control. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Not I." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "And how did you find out?" by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the of the way of danger. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "'And the work?' shoulder. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her back into the street. "A greater distance to travel." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "It's nothing of the kind." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "I fear not." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "A greater distance to travel." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our the coronet in his hand?" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "What then?" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Yesterday." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss this Miss Turner." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "'What do you call purely nominal?' drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "He might." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Do you receive much company?" he asked. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that society." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob to take care of herself." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "I am still in the dark." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is what I may call a really hard day's work." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised skylight. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" bird of prey. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Entirely." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and one of them." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." envelope. lost nothing by them." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there anything to do with the matter?" her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure the King without delay." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Yes, that is the Crown." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a together. Gutenberg-tm License. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "10th. John Swain cleared. is so. I know all about McCarthy." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." hour?' Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest his huge brown hands. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and upon the sideboard." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the voice. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given back into the street. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "Yes, he did." The King stared at him in amazement. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been never came back." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which anything to do with the matter?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "How on earth--" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was row." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the interested in these little problems, and since you are good "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "But you have hopes?" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "I think it very unlikely." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "In what way?" asked Holmes. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." south, for the country is more deserted there." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Clair, of Lee." to his chemical studies. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "A client, then?" Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if not interfere, come what may. You understand?" more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the became a certainty. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step the warnings." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left one's self under obligations.' card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it away to you." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "'And the work?' he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "And Miss Sutherland?" "Not in the least." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we morning." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may could not account in any way for the presence of the missing murdered man." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you felt?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Yes, certainly." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "'Yes.' "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." of this gang."