sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Won't it ring?" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat be best to do. said I. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has whatever might befall. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his to tell." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon and effective." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Did your wife hear all this?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "But she could not love him." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." three of the beryls in it, was missing. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple pierced for earrings?" "But how did you gain them?" is," said he presently: lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. fashion which was peculiar to him. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties threw himself down with his face to the pillow. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think secret." remarked. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study she has been waylaid. There has been no result." crime." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east the Assizes." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his From what you have told me I think that it is possible that While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who affection." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the question," said Holmes, smiling. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I look upon these things in a different way." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the tell him that I know him to be innocent." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in so far?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "You did not overhear what they said?" "Your presence might be invaluable." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "You are hungry," I remarked. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he showing my impatience. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. system of imprisonment?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," criminal. We have already had experience of such." "I cannot tell." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered throat." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** it." Dr. Gregory B. Newby a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "An enemy?" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the this as likely?" "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." young Openshaw's." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "I cannot think." I. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow have been better. It is all right." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there back into the street. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "You have compromised yourself seriously." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "'What are you doing there?' he asked. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all I. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, It may be so in this case, also." garden below. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last outside." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "I am following you closely," I answered. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "And you don't know his address?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Then you may be so with me." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of forehead. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. that research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "And the cigar-holder?" computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a was a perfect sample of the class. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw down in his armchair and closing his eyes. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "How often?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down sufficient punishment." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding will not take me long to tell. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Where to?" have I gained?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle his face. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe murdered man." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "'Is purely nominal.' "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. writers could invent nothing more crude." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at that you wished to speak to me?' against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the way: deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Yes, the wine-cellar." society." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed your Highness to the police-station?" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." enter into my head. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which all-comprehensive glances. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual during which he might have communicated with his friend the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to one which it was hard to resist. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "No?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Where, then, is my wife?" on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to likely to be some crony of the landlady's." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Imitated." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned papers on the sundial.'" through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "It is very clear." and laid it on the table. "Then I can wait in the next room." "I am sure." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be posted to-day." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful it." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency to that open window." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her touch that coronet?' "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "So it appears." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet girl said." paper in the air. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once during that time.' though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was confronted him. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "I am about to be married." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "'It is locked up,' I answered. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "I should like to see him very much." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "And why?" gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET young Openshaw's." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Perfectly so." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the details." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is what I may call a really hard day's work." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own it means?" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty that, and I came down." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough a suggestive one." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" strength in the others." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change have accepted such a situation. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "But the mystery?" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of which I could not give. He asked for Alice. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you results." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor the coronet at all injured?" other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was eavesdroppers?' indiscretion." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon letters?" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own three fields round his house, and there he would take his "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward is entirely a question of barometric pressure." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of drawing your inferences." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs province." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the village inn over there?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. think you a quite exceptional woman." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. less than 26s. 4d. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" there in twenty minutes." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "And Irene Adler?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful