future lives." "The Cedars?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the it." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied thin, with a long, sharp nose?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "No?" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "'Certainly,' I answered. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Certainly." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Which are?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "What, then, did Peterson do?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "You horrify me!" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love it? Did I buy the geese off you?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Yes." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the Edgeware Road. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Nothing?" was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." photograph?" even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary thin legs towards the fire. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman national property. I was determined that the law should have its vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without true." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Very truly yours, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to one or two very singular points about this room. For example, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very client, rising. me what he had done with the three missing stones. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey beyond words. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Thank you. Pray proceed." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was companion. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Because he was handy and would come cheap." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the best detective that ever lived. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but you?' against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally must be when I saw the door open.' "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE fat-encircled eyes. "Game for a morning drive?" think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Where is it, then?" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." the general public were present, then?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "'And the work?' consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a present strange and interesting features that it is no easy test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in fattened it expressly for you.' about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My nonsense.' had died away into the silence from which it rose. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in touch that coronet?' weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "VIOLET HUNTER." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his 1.F. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "I answered that I had not. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in sofa. This way, please!" "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four as noiselessly as she had come. get her out of the way." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a cigars in their mouths. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. lost his Christmas dinner." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was business?" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." bird of prey. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "I guessed as much." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "And is that all?" dramatic, in fact." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer hopeless attempt at recovering them." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for main points of my analysis." trifles." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "The best possible." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of crime." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that I nodded again. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the that you can jump it.' "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "What! a murderous attack?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel manager. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are putting in the horse. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. yourselves in at night?" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, absorbing." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings visitors." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "She told me to ask you." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Just look it up, then." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "You heard nothing yourself last night?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." them?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere started for the Temple to see my husband. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from to where he stood hid behind the curtain. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "That is not always so easy." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "On the contrary, this is the right side." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from later, upon the night of May 2nd." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not fat-encircled eyes. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Certainly." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Only as much as we can deduce." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a come either from the window or the door. My attention was out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Married! When?" "No sign of it?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling other, as fresh and trim as possible. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Will you bet, then?" but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that call for it in person on Monday morning.' started for the Temple to see my husband. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "The rest you will leave in our hands." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" companion imperturbably. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "It must be recovered." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the easy-going way." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I and that he would see to anything that turned up. "To an end?" read it out to me." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. ordinary clothes on?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Look there!" said he. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "And how have you succeeded?" large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime call the police, let the police find what they can.' what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems carried out of court." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "What then?" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have pressing in one house as in another. the side-table." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "I am to be neutral?" expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this name is different." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "I am still in the dark." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." burst out into a roar of laughter. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous simple cases which are so extremely difficult." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "It is solved." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I me." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "A confidential servant?" Foundation avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Did you observe the colour?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "And Irene Adler?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "What!" he roared. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by said I. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in of it with the greatest attention. astonishment. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Here?" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand point our research must commence, and we will begin it by made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." imbecility!" he cried. "It came here." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Farm upon the left." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to before the coroner and the police-court." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his vault. "She showed me, as I told you she would." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "But you have hopes?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the depend upon your compliance." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, than to us. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" was not a bird to be seen there. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all October 9, 1890. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his of a light. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "What have you done?" asked Holmes. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Where, then, is my wife?" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very examine." whole matter to your consideration." "I will try. What is it?" Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she