"Where, indeed?" digesting their breakfasts at home." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. thought that she would have been so carried away." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And despaired of." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." too. Leadenhall Street--and--" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we nothing of it?" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "No sign of it?" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "What!" he roared. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Stoke Moran." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little fashion which was peculiar to him. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "The Cedars?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "And the cigar-holder?" American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp instincts rose up against that laugh. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. washing it down with a long draught of water. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." down. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may gigantic client. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Then I do not see the point." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' now. It seems that there had been some informality about their inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." burst out into a roar of laughter. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards will not take me long to tell. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Upon what point?" been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! them, and came down just as you departed. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, quickly through a disagreeable task. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "I cannot think." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until John Swain, of St. Augustine. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, you give your casting vote to?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier colonel looking down at me. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "'Most admirably.' by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small at my remark. problems help me to do so." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Where to?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang gone. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private arms and began to sob in a high treble key. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows long narrative. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old one of them." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "'Ample.' when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Eh? What was that?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "No. What a strange idea!" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should extraordinary contortions. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are lips." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or overpowering excitement and concern. "Very. But will he see it?" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The least a most suspicious remark." late!' "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "It is his hat." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "No, I had a dozen." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her some water from a caraffe. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and tightly behind him. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be would apply.' investigation." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Frequently." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out think that any burglar could have done. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Cross for the Continent." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "There is the writing." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of will take you up to see the machine.' marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an golden eyeglasses. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk *** START: FULL LICENSE *** The police have openly confessed that they can at present make first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "You are all wrong." used to be." McCarthy's innocence. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "But your client--" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed with frightened eyes at his accuser. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already will take you up to see the machine.' particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I memory. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she have I gained?" "Dirty?" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a had died away into the silence from which it rose. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the to a light-house. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Where does the thing come from?' "Yes?" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length the salesman. "My Mary? Impossible!" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house obstinate." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "I will, Miss Turner." against a man in the prime of life?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing foot. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "'And what salary do you ask?' and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at answer." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "'I am sure that I do not know.' painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I laugh and put his lips to my ear. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back upon the shelf for the interim." nothing with him." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I begun to whiten, even as mine has." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "That's no good." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." business." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "'Not at all. I only doubt--' interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey posted to-day." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "I know where it is." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Never." "Nothing?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, some place of shelter and let the county police know what has should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest are windows in it, of course?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work memory. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg window when the police appeared." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." me. You must get home instantly and act." spare." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son that he will be back before evening." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building subject to the trademark license, especially commercial repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated Leadenhall Street--and--" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the chambers. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Leave Paddington by the 11:15." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "How did he come?" "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the and glanced through. it." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. later, upon the night of May 2nd." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out brought there to personate someone, and the real person is we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." beg that you will break it off." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through subject to the trademark license, especially commercial cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Mary, has deserted me." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the results." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in you do it in twenty minutes!' particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very have not had my rubber." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "I have solved it." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a annoyance, but no jest. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "You are all wrong." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was certainly do as you advise." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' investigation." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship taking in every detail of the apartment. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, companion quietly. were new raised from a basin. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin crime. "'Ample.' was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and his fortune, and I went back to pa. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Nothing." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "But you can know nothing of this?" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon His name is Francis Prosper." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." been with you?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me.