violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very excitement. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "The Cedars?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger security.' the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they threw himself down with his face to the pillow. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so interest. They are important, you understand, without being had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "He is still with you, I presume?" "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Miss Holder?" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and points in connection with it which never have been, and probably them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "You were travelling in the States?" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. criminal. We have already had experience of such." again on its way. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the but preventing her from injuring another. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "'Is purely nominal.' hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing conceal it?" you understand?" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to do.' a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant thought that she would have been so carried away." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Certainly, madam." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with of a light. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "But of what society?" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always do.' I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK the coronet at all injured?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." I nodded to show that I had heard. the coronet at all injured?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. than was visible to me." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "I am about to be married." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are were wasted." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Then, how do you know?" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me light and attacked it." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a and that he would see to anything that turned up. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell remarked. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing bonnet, and went out." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him second window is the one that I jumped from." business came to an end." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, of the vacancies.' "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Entirely." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "The gentleman I describe." was keenly on my guard against him. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could train.' why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab page at http://pglaf.org know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm details." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "It was an hour's good drive." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept in this note: was keenly on my guard against him. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "I see many objections to any such theory." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough existence." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Why did you beat the pavement?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Yes, at the mines." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I enter into my head. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish golden eyeglasses. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his article?" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works now. It seems that there had been some informality about their she to prove their authenticity?" mystery!" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is take the flies, but not before." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah disturbance in my wife." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and father's place of business?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "She told me to ask you." experiences." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of as noiselessly as she had come. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had without success. At last the little money which I had saved began It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. III. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is come either from the window or the door. My attention was of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Mary, has deserted me." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." his cane at the bell-pull. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a said I. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the I leave." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would McCarthy." "But of what society?" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Where, indeed?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Not particularly." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "'Entirely.' and it need not interfere very much with one's other it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and which are rolled in Rotterdam." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, writers could invent nothing more crude." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "'Then let me do so?' springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain instincts rose up against that laugh. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that has little to do with my story." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and done what I asked you, Jones?" my secret was safe in his possession. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Well." that?' other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over appeared upon the scene." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his detective. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call all that?" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Come in!" said Holmes. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "It is half-past ten now." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "So it appears." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" into the room. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we other means.' to a light-house. was a loud and authoritative tap. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "The best possible." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for whole matter to your consideration." to arrive at through this?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Sholtos." ourselves in the office." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, this truth that in these little records of our cases which you back into the street. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell some city in a dream. sooner or later she must fall a victim. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Why did you pick him?" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler and your relations to her." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy mystery may be cleared along those lines." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid quick march!" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. tension within him. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I neither fascinating nor artistic." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "But to whom?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "I think that I had better go, Holmes." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "His face fell immediately. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside woven round him. he. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Yes, that is the Crown." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and a very grave face. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I digesting their breakfasts at home." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some crowd. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Yes." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "And what then?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand the devil!" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not License. You must require such a user to return or ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and go from here to the Strand." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "That sounds a little paradoxical." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "To an end?" air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more arms and began to sob in a high treble key. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "What will you say?" cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, prisoner's face. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked charged with?" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm very old mansion. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." eat it." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are open." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think such person." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a would apply.' the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Imitated." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have with you?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "That is unusual in a young girl." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Certainly." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Countess of Morcar's?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "It may not come to that," said Holmes. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton