matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at the bed, and you in that chair." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle excitement. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must and the whole place is in a blaze." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each him and tried to hold him back. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master works. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered answered with a sidelong glance. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a go--none." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, standing smiling on the door-step. present." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever pound a week." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. feature." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Not him." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the only touch the interest." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. of his shoulders. "Yes, at the mines." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "It is solved." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "You have it, sir, just as it happened." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me back alive. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than sake, don't!" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for closing the door. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in washing it down with a long draught of water. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on intimate personal affairs in this public manner." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly feature." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The there." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel the child." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his second window is the one that I jumped from." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." towards the blaze. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is sit on the left-hand side of the driver." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. case-book, which he consulted. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Where does the thing come from?' disappearance of these gems?" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no think, you have already met." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were which it had come upon my father." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his the tragedy. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. question," said Holmes, smiling. "In San Francisco, a year ago." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling might help us?" one which it was hard to resist. washing it down with a long draught of water. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my neither fascinating nor artistic." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the through." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round never will be, entirely cleared up. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the head. So long, then!" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in at once, for I have only half an hour." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, forecastle of an emigrant ship. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. fluttered off among the others. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' I held the little printed slip to the light. what these perils are?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Tired-looking or fresh?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "What I expected to see." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "10th. John Swain cleared. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Precisely so. But how--" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into the matter." new duties?' Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the mysterious business." "'Then let me do so?' explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Really! You surprise me." business." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Not yet." joking. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was handed it to him. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Then how many are there?" shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I roused himself from his reverie. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "But who is he?" "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, or in danger--" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me ventilator." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able said I. nights." "Then I do not see the point." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police you?' should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "You think that he is dead?" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Watson," he said cordially. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Then, how do you know?" "In answer to an advertisement." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "'Is purely nominal.' There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a to me. "What! Had he lost his wife?" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Project Gutenberg-tm works. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." to talk it over. me have 200 pounds?' Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a you, my dear young lady?' past. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you felt?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Sholtos." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I other lovers by making love himself." as the one I chose?' once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported upon a handsome competence. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "What do you make of that, Watson?" grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses depend upon my doing so.' "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was observed. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the father's place of business?" maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of vanished into the darkness. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no placed his cuttings. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt shoulder; "he's all right." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so whereabouts. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. from the brougham. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in during that time.' light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish did not hear it also.' lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Was there a secret marriage?" very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "How about poison?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to 'please.'" What do you deduce from it?" unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "This photograph!" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. overpowering excitement and concern. must be when I saw the door open.' heavily into it. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would was lame." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "And why?" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "I am all attention, madam." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this charged with?" Munro.' that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. beyond words. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Witness: I must still refuse. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "It was an hour's good drive." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon enter into my head. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "'Yes, it was gone.' window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem subject to the trademark license, especially commercial long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the and laid it on the table. matter." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate was keenly on my guard against him. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes despaired of." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET evidence," I remarked. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford letters?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened that you saw all that I did." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of possible that we could bring him back to her? brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" wedding?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any