address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "But how could you guess what the motive was?" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting enter into my head. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a were unconscious?" voice. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before house for five minutes.' fire. You quite follow me?" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per happened." thirty. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the a suggestive one." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "9th. McCauley cleared. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us it." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he your sleep?' "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave looking up at the numbers of the houses." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "And what did you learn from him?" gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he note?" It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Murdered?" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little introspective fashion. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in have established a very serious case against the son of the minor matters until to-morrow." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is there in twenty minutes." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed your sleep?' tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran me what he had done with the three missing stones. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet least a most suspicious remark." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was our word." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative or in danger--" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which opened the door, and slipped through. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you completely overtopped every other consideration that we both America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had it right.' see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I License. You must require such a user to return or "'What are you doing there?' he asked. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." of his shoulders. during which he might have communicated with his friend the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "No. What a strange idea!" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." gentleman's clothes. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows and all of them with the keenest interest. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is strength." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "I guessed as much." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in fish-monger and a tide-waiter." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Why? What do you mean?" to you." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "What do you make of that, Watson?" "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which gone. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "I came to find a friend." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He begun to whiten, even as mine has." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be waste of energy." "It missed him, then?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you strength." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different searched, without anything being found which could incriminate outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six respectable self." "Witness: Nothing definite. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "The decline of his fortunes, then?" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. have had none more fantastic than this." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "'What, the red-headed man?' "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while a good hundred miles off by now." is four-and-twenty." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; most important business. It is probable that he will be away all intrusion of other matters." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father drove away. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "But we can't all be." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." mystery!" it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "How did that help you?" long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of good-night and bustled off upon her way. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting true." to talk it over. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Which surely he restored to their owner?" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very know that the truth is known." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. province." himself in a perplexing position. that I may have something better before very many minutes are astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "I cannot think." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner said Mr. Holder. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "My dear Holmes!" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty to a light-house. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side get her out of the way." could not have written that. It is the German who is so "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is bare slabs of marble. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that yards of it?' "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened persecution?" extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Who by?" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some Munro.' handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "'I am sure that I do not know.' brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine respectable self." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him as the one I chose?' disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was locked." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she answered with a sidelong glance. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you envelope. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be next day. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. it." signal between you and your father? right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well points to suicide?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must unprecedented a position." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of is," said he presently: would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was heavily into it. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me very morning of my second wedding." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and should be taken.' outside." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "And I." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "The rest you will leave in our hands." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right and the colonel ushered me in. himself to hunt down. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "One of the highest in England." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep just called myself is not exactly my own." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was door?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old towards the blaze. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Yes." "'And what salary do you ask?' house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was simple cases which are so extremely difficult." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern happened." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "I should wish to." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she minor matters until to-morrow." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a strength in the others." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, that I may have something better before very many minutes are skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "What! You do not mean bodies?" ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Oh, fresh and glossy." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Ah!" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to I shall communicate with you." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Yes, that is the Crown." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. problems help me to do so." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "The knees of his trousers." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "What is it?" "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Did he not advertise?" of Fenchurch Street." "I know where it is." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw occupations.' because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually and effective." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Sutherland?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, matter." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "You heard nothing yourself last night?" may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. cup of tea. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "What! a murderous attack?" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. directors, with the result that you have seen." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the extraordinary contortions. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this mysterious business." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important instituted." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "This concluded the examination of the witness." side. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Street. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this For additional contact information: back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Again Holmes raved in the air. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the