If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is questionable one." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing jewels which you have stolen?' destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "So I have heard." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to disappearance of these gems?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford character. "'Where could I find him?' "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "VIOLET HUNTER." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was manager. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, business." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you her also." "My Mary? Impossible!" there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at and looked back. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black said he at last. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Well, some hundreds of times." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Will you go?" "Not social, then?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "The rest you will leave in our hands." "My stepfather's business papers." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he results." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the His smile broadened. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Who was the criminal, then?" surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, do.' compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of you." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late look upon these things in a different way." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow she used." business at Coburg Square is serious." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon mystery." wedding?" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works coat-tails." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "It is his hat." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Well, some hundreds of times." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "And why in hopes?" he bowed and left the room without another word. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty come either from the window or the door. My attention was suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to the side-table." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "What! a murderous attack?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Why, it's a dummy," said he. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very awaited us upon the table. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. have had none more fantastic than this." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was for and were ordered to this address. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Which are?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 crime. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Did your wife hear all this?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat really the only notable feature about the thing." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Where is it, then?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Was your sister dressed?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Imitated." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "There is the writing." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in with frightened eyes at his accuser. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "I should like to see him very much." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "'Yes, sir.' my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, notes," he said. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no fluttered off among the others. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Very much so." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through hand, madam?" floor. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, as he folded up the epistle. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most outside. particular state visit http://pglaf.org a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "None. Neville wrote those words." "I shall be delighted." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to she slowly sank and died without having recovered her was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "You have the photograph?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which you understand?" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which any." the devil!" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Have you good authority for what you say?" should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "None." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from and the whole place is in a blaze." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Ah!" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Very murderous indeed." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the with her." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had charge against him will break down." as the one I chose?' cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he his grey eyes. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "My stepfather's business papers." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have client, rising. chance." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all four million human beings all jostling each other within the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Here?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "'As governess?' and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause present." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." guilty one." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He felt the room to be a little close.' I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Ah!" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with to some other building. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "That you are never beaten." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. detective. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of unkempt, staring out at me. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. row." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door beg that you will break it off." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait handed it to him. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which 1.E.9. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with maiden herself was most instructive." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of chamber." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "I should like to see him very much." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "She walked into the breakfast-room." one of the states of the Union." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with orange pips. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect with you?" "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, highroad, where all traces were lost. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "I am all attention, madam." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to at my own good fortune. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Have you it here?" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." speckled band?" the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in hair?' "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "We must have a cab." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "But you were on a friendly footing?" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. bird of prey. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "I fear not." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Married! When?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a simple cases which are so extremely difficult." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Very well, sir. And this stone?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" never will be, entirely cleared up. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always obstinate." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such along the entire front of the house, with three long windows ready to-morrow?' "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running them?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "No." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "What are they?" ready to-morrow?' sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "His face fell immediately. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the driver. directly by questioning you." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a