served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, http://gutenberg.net/license). willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "About a month then." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "There is the writing." and no precautions can guard against." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a bonnet, and went out." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. acted in my house last night?" greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Stoke Moran." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. awkward doing business with an alias." about here speaks of his kindness to him." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. night.' said he. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper nights." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from case-book, which he consulted. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you everything which you would wish to know." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached walking." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his hour." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the Red-headed League." plantation.' posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "And how did he make his money?" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the The King stared at him in amazement. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble feature." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return forebodings. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I coat-tails." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from experiences." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, round with crates and massive boxes. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or ourselves in the office." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down and have this put in the evening papers." power." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another standing smiling on the door-step. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's gives a meaning to it." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "That is not always so easy." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "What I expected to see." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open detective. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If meant." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for one of the states of the Union." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Leadenhall Street--and--" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "My opinion is in no way altered." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight the coronet in his hand?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "I cannot imagine." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in conduct the inquiry." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Yes." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. For additional contact information: there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; on re-entering her father's house?" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." it." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "My stepfather's business papers." "Then what has happened to him?" this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the fuss that is made over them." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone I nodded to show that I had heard. six. Come in!" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks words came to my lips. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." States. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me me, and I could not think that his explanation of the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, think, you have already met." was not a bird to be seen there. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and some place of shelter and let the county police know what has the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third better in every way that they should make their position a little elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He DAMAGE. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her of note-paper. It read in this fashion: habit of advancing money.' it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "I am all attention, madam." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads I leave." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided detective. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I and inquire as to the address." "That is possible." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. hour." "What, then, did Peterson do?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum fact, we may call it conclusive." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" province." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "A thing like a cleaver," said he. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a in his hands." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "She will not sell." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. read it out to me." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" fatally injured? said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson if she died from some sudden fright." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking made him keep the appointment." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A the armchair which I pushed forward for him. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "What is it?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Proceed, then." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet to have been novel and of interest." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out do you make of it all?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "That was it, sir." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "'You doubt its value?' he asked. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." with her." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing you in yours." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the speckled band?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "A greater distance to travel." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." guilty parties." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram there has been an enclosure here!" And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this of the vacancies.' of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." few hundred pounds.' "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still who was a member of your goose club." in. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Yes, from Horsham." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered with the outside air!" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked yards of it?' strength in the others." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We as he folded up the epistle. "I see many objections to any such theory." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "'Yes, sir.' the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall have an American origin." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "And I." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew over part of the map. "What do you read?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or the tragedy. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Yes." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Proceed, then." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with gigantic client. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of official police." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Quite so. She has her freedom." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have since then to throw any light upon what became of him." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may all that?" ourselves in the office." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Holmes' room. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Dr. Gregory B. Newby charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method the inner apartment." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Yes, at the mines." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a You can understand that this register and diary may implicate it right.' them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting bell. Holmes whistled. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" that?' of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to morning." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and father's place of business?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause children over to America with him, so that I found myself without occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Farm upon the left." again." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. soul! here is her carriage at the door." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His subject to the trademark license, especially commercial days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It your equipment. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "It is possible." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that lamp. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "How did that help you?" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar wanted for ourselves." relief. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" said he. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Eh? What was that?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. questionable one." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, this Miss Turner." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and ceremony." "No, distinctly professional." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of was a perfect sample of the class. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake garden below. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a pound a week." most interesting one." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the