of it with the greatest attention. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late in a very precise fashion." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. some terrible trap for her." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of fish-monger and a tide-waiter." man. I know him from the photograph." the little opening for the ventilator is." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "If I can be of use." writer." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "'Is 4 pounds a week.' returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "I was afraid that you were engaged." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon without success. At last the little money which I had saved began nonsense.' "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If at my remark. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off for the market.' possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Then, as to money?" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these throat." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "A call for help, you thought?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. his wife has ceased to love him." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to hour." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Dr. Becher's." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "I answered that I had not. like gravel from a pit.' important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on hair?' William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any companion quietly. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our relation between them, and what the object of his repeated his wife has ceased to love him." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest back to my heart. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "You have a clue?" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Stolen." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; them?" himself to hunt down. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, hardly wander." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home the bed, and you in that chair." which we had just quitted. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle disturbance in my wife." to-night?' street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in of the efforts of the United States government and of the better look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny everything which you would wish to know." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. over with notes and figures. "'I am sure if I had known--' with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, key turn in the lock." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "'And what are they worth?' I asked. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Married! When?" "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "What office?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that detained." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Holmes rather sternly. note?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down case before our client came into the room." legal crime." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he was it brought him the coronet? upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Was there a secret marriage?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Indeed! Whose, then?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He kindly on the shoulder. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. how narrow had been my escape. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "No." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop always that they were such commands as a lady might with strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of and effective." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "'As governess?' "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "What! Had he lost his wife?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I tied." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and thought that she would have been so carried away." "Witness: Nothing definite. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced society." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "But how?" suggested at once that there must be a communication between the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, ordinary clothes on?" again on its way. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival touch that coronet?' "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "It was an hour's good drive." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." will not take me long to tell. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience invisible to me," I remarked. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the used to be." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the forehead. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must happened." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "'And the work?' "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "None." affair. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will might have a private word with us. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the started for the Temple to see my husband. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little and the whole place is in a blaze." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, tightly behind him. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "What then?" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a daring than any effort of the imagination." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the the Assizes." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was the Friday. Was it to be in church?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Henry Baker is a member." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through bedroom door." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his bird I ate is country bred." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she http://gutenberg.net/license). "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are fait accompli?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the bed, and you in that chair." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was room. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed I nodded again. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' fact, we may call it conclusive." father's place of business?" "How are you getting on?" directors, with the result that you have seen." asked with his eyes open. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "What can you not understand?" "'Yes, sir.' "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "I think it very unlikely." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "But to whom?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I which our visitor detailed to us. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the will he say when he returns?" himself to hunt down. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal passage and a tap at the door. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "I cannot tell." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this young Openshaw's." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a never to learn it at all." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To be sorry for having acted so harshly." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "It came here." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "He is dead," cried several voices. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Your French gold?" said he. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As way in." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger crowd. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of wife's character?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a in the dead of the night?' official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately hardly wander." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary notes," he said. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are whatever might befall. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "But who is he?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their page at http://pglaf.org door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Oh, yes, easily." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in correct than the official force." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight mysterious end." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "A call for help, you thought?" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and