noting anything else of interest. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though you, my dear young lady?' "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram opportunities to fix the problem. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure mystery!" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** hour." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the behind me. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. sake, don't!" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he the warnings." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat disturbance in my wife." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." you came in." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, thin legs towards the fire. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an would then never go into court at all." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my public press." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. to a light-house. it. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Breckinridge is his name." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "What of the rat, then?" it were putty." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "You don't mind breaking the law?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, there was no need for father to know." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was hand, madam?" my special province." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed everything which you would wish to know." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a business matters.' "No, I had a dozen." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, least a fellow-countryman. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "It is very clear." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial so.' from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "There is the writing." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has them present such singular features as the strange train of drawing your inferences." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "The knees of his trousers." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. McCarthy." "Texas, I think." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day distinguish the words: most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Quite so." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "You horrify me!" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Street. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a into her hand at the door and which lured her within their him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "It is half-past ten now." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a prisoner's face. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "No, distinctly professional." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Stolen, then." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Very. But will he see it?" clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "'What then?' I asked. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "So it appears." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Project Gutenberg-tm works. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was direction." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should discontent upon his features. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and straighten it?" "Awake, Watson?" he asked. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it about. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with careless servant girl?" despaired of." "Her father is very rich?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing this remarkable episode. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Oh, yes, easily." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern the nursery. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had vanished into the darkness. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' characteristics, but those are the more obvious." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Which are?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" orange pips. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing chambers. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which It may be so in this case, also." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "To ruin me." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a completely overtopped every other consideration that we both photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him you in yours." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "And Miss Sutherland?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Watson," he said cordially. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "And you thought he was pulled back?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian detective. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City the dangers which encompass me." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." mysterious end." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "No, but the enclosure is." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man hopeless attempt at recovering them." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael himself. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue money should be paid at once.' case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune to-night." "Yes, all." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The bearing upon the case." really the only notable feature about the thing." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "You horrify me." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Very murderous indeed." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds works. See paragraph 1.E below. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, never came back." later, upon the night of May 2nd." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." later, upon the night of May 2nd." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "In San Francisco, a year ago." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Can I be of assistance?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was keep the flames under. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to was used.' "On Monday." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "But what will you do?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of I shall communicate with you." important." father's place of business?" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I wedding?" "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he reach." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Again Holmes raved in the air. head. So long, then!" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "No, I think that I'll take it." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but than to us. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of this as likely?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the You want to know what became of those geese?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to this Miss Turner." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each redistribution. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Then I shall certainly come." own family. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the wanted for ourselves." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was was a lad." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "'Very good.' it." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we ordinary clothes on?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the present." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "And your mother is alive?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to fear." public press." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Stolen, then." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the fuss that is made over them." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most been deceived." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Never." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of use an arc-and-compass breastpin." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips States. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are