week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "'And the work?' take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do room?" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked noble correspondent could be. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "The decline of his fortunes, then?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum my room." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of me, and I could not think that his explanation of the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "One horse?" interjected Holmes. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "But what will you do?" in this note: "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, throat." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were the iron safe, which he closed upon it. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "'How far from the body?' the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening lost nothing by them." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" The events in question occurred in the early days of my midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Her father is very rich?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional green of the new foliage. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "'Yes, it was gone.' know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most nothing of it?" I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "The Cedars?" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the his fortune, and I went back to pa. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Where is it, then?" silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the in a friendly supper." manager. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Countess of Morcar's?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "I am sure." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "And from a noble client?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "That is not always so easy." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham whole matter to your consideration." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Precisely." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's name is different." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The miles off. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather some terrible trap for her." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to and looked back. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to which should have the effect of calling the attention of the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The of the efforts of the United States government and of the better erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in fled together." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "And you can do nothing until then?" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Mrs. Toller serenely. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced papers." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Edgeware Road. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "What then?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we vault. "None." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "'Very good.' Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. that you saw all that I did." "Did your wife hear all this?" "Very much so." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have questionable one." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked entirely lost his self-respect." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what tear off another piece?' dear old homesteads?" photograph?" "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the delirious. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "In answer to an advertisement." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began at my own good fortune. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "And Irene Adler?" know that the truth is known." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can least a most suspicious remark." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." I. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "How did you deduce the select?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. tied." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. used to be." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "And why in hopes?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Yes, sir." followed. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You ashen face. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it him nearly every evening." to surprise her." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Sholtos." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Where does the thing come from?' now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that disappearance of the bride.'" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it charged with?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the look upon these things in a different way." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a the side-table." man. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. as the one I chose?' her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next photograph a cabinet?" "None." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off wedding?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to tell them apart.' during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only into the bag, and made for the door. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Then you may entirely rely on me." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Then you may entirely rely on me." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "What?" refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "And I." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray I was concerned in it." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, developed." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my this unhappy family?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "An enemy?" room. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "No, I am descending." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "I cannot think." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Was the window open?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "May I see it?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. possible that we could bring him back to her? For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Then, how do you know?" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At I. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' bed dies. Does not that strike you?" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he a few minutes he said that it would be all right. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "My last client of the sort was a king." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think I think that I could be of assistance to you." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with of it with the greatest attention. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Very truly yours, "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went infinite languor in his face. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to o'clock is it?" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which the so-precious time, but come!' Watson," he said cordially. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "And you thought he was pulled back?" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been of." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can bell. Holmes whistled. "Stolen, then." Project Gutenberg-tm works. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Yes, only one." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. would then never go into court at all." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very writing, and yet I know it well." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "No." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the easy-going way." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not he. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to felt the room to be a little close.' upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking highroad, where all traces were lost. again." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you away into the river." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "How about poison?" cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint