unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Very. But will he see it?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Very murderous indeed." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. be sorry for having acted so harshly." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend what do you think they found in the pockets?" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such I have it here in my museum." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with me, and I could not think that his explanation of the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. upon a handsome competence. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot which it had come upon my father." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest spare." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "You saw the ventilator, too?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an photograph?" "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "But of what society?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." which are rolled in Rotterdam." colonel looking down at me. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," system of imprisonment?" "'I am sure that I do not know.' "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect be sorry for having acted so harshly." said he. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed anything to a woman, for she would have her way." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was hour?' and files of the old papers, following the future career of every met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, his face which made him a very different person to the round, material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this his face which made him a very different person to the round, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." his wife has ceased to love him." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. in darkness. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Yes." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office room. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his excitement. arrested. You then--" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that I approached. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many already referred to. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It singular points about the case. What did the police think of the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Never." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Tired-looking or fresh?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, acquaintance?" sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to had a long day." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Have you her photograph?" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a child?' as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do about here speaks of his kindness to him." again before evening." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Gutenberg-tm License. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "But you would not advise me to refuse?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which the address that was given us in the advertisement. the coronet at all injured?" for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for respectable self." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I them?" "What is it?" depend upon my doing so.' demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend name is different." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "There are none." that mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Her father is very rich?" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and now. It seems that there had been some informality about their as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up comes from the middle window." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Nothing." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing was not a bird to be seen there. McCarthy." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "It surprised me." "Not him." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was fasten all the windows?" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the the bed, and you in that chair." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "And why?" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "But who is he?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Yes, but only for you and me." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One you came in." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I your room." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre brought there to personate someone, and the real person is I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, Holmes' thin, eager face. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "'And what are they worth?' I asked. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King gbnewby@pglaf.org immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in been deceived." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting weapon." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no fasten all the windows?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "'Most admirably.' pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I am all attention, madam." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, But Holmes shook his head gravely. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug call you and give you the chance." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped McCarthy's innocence. "How did you deduce the select?" she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. on in his house." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's back to my heart. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in to you." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." status with the IRS. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his light and attacked it." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "But how could you guess what the motive was?" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual prepare for the new role I have to play." this poor creature." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other business at Coburg Square is serious." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows with you?" question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' good for you to do.' beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "That also I could fathom." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Then what has happened to him?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, pierced for earrings?" upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "That was it, sir." you understand?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a begin with, and I had not got mine yet." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon you." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "VIOLET HUNTER." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; directors have had misgivings upon the subject." said he. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just in this note: "I cannot think." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of never came back." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "And how in the world did you find them?" "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "My Mary? Impossible!" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" me. a suggestive one." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Who was the criminal, then?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I been lifted and conveyed somewhere." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at together. tail." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" case before our client came into the room." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "The murder was done with it." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Perhaps I have." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed do.' with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive examine." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Married! When?" closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the upon the sideboard." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed the best of training." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age annoyance, but no jest. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Mrs. Toller serenely.