pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see the salesman. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "I see no marks." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "I cannot imagine." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "'Yes, it was gone.' "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" have been better. It is all right." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, companion. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened retorted upon me, and I on you." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of the date of his supposed suicide." not fit the lock." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his wedding?" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." weary and pale-looking. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "I will try. What is it?" do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Project Gutenberg-tm works. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through woven round him. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "One?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. wall." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen guilty parties." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite would apply.' "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "This photograph!" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "I am armed." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I shall be delighted." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will The telegram which we eventually received came late one night even so self-evident a thing as that." British peeress.'" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father least a most suspicious remark." companion imperturbably. humiliation." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. hopeless attempt at recovering them." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "What office?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the be sorry for having acted so harshly." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Count Von Kramm." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture started for the Temple to see my husband. the devil!" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands at my remark. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Yes." and the colonel ushered me in. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted could go. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Here?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very some place of shelter and let the county police know what has his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. furiously. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "No, but the enclosure is." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of Munro.' My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "That is also quite modern," said the lady. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this enough to aid us in our search." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in room had already been engaged for us. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He exactly what you advise." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads do.' with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and individual and becomes the badge of a society." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to The summons was a brief and urgent one. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which room. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking business came to an end." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of straighten it?" suspect him." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you if she died from some sudden fright." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite only touch the interest." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Is he quiet?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, three fields round his house, and there he would take his he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my said he. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. without a word or a look. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable Munro.' air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion very old mansion. "Very much so." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "That was it, sir." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. system of imprisonment?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "My opinion is in no way altered." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. cause to be." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the companion quietly. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "No, but the enclosure is." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "'You cannot say what it was?' their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, fat-encircled eyes. "My last client of the sort was a king." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "I never have." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Stoke Moran." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred locked." "Nothing." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that did not hear it also.' have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure a little more before I quite committed myself. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back the stable lane now." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "And it is--" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "'Where to?' Leadenhall Street--and--" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police within hail.' description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm congratulate you again." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Have you her photograph?" were wasted." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever with you alone." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did own family. footfalls from the street. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really few hundred pounds.' "In answer to an advertisement." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," get the tickets." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "No sign of it?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or himself in a perplexing position. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "She walked into the breakfast-room." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet the inner apartment." your most interesting statement." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. jewels which you have stolen?' which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for then?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Thank you. And your address?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "And I." "What I expected to see." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that residence of the great financier. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Yes, they were peculiar boots." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a could go. upon the shelf for the interim." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "'I have heard so.' which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last redistribution. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you figure." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught question," said Holmes, smiling. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found habit of advancing money.' "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Holmes' thin, eager face. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Breckinridge is his name." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "I am armed." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "What then?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I lids now and glanced across at his visitor. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this depend upon your compliance." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "I promise," said Holmes. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "We were both in the photograph." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" in this note: help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "In the cells." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "'You doubt its value?' he asked. that you can jump it.' "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "We must sit without light. He would see it through the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would children over to America with him, so that I found myself without invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than was used.' "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and miles off. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very affection." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Always." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Then you may be so with me." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the