enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were present." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite is so. I know all about McCarthy." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable results." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, works. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Very truly yours, On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "What, then, did Peterson do?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "No sign of it?" is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, I shall continue with my miserable story. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered union?" therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." and all of them with the keenest interest. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a strength of mind to control. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Street. call you and give you the chance." minor matters until to-morrow." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Then I shall certainly come." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "'Is purely nominal.' prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms fashion which was peculiar to him. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, awkward doing business with an alias." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. fluttered off among the others. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my hurried by. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the row." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "On the contrary, this is the right side." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Serpentine Avenue. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our me where it went to?" have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. on in his house." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "I think that I had better go, Holmes." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no indiscretion." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Stolen, then." papers diligently of late, have you not?" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Holmes' thin, eager face. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "I guessed as much." events, Mr. Windibank!" green of the new foliage. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a just called myself is not exactly my own." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my always that they were such commands as a lady might with "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "And the cigar-holder?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the dead, shall be safe with us." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "'What do you call purely nominal?' I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called said he. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were business came to an end." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the present." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "In San Francisco, a year ago." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to been shamefully used." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Yes, I have one waiting." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything I shall continue with my miserable story. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is new duties?' "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "The gentleman I describe." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "'You doubt its value?' he asked. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "It is half-past ten now." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Why serious?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their your co-operation." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "We must have a cab." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut to-night." The King stared at him in amazement. invisible to me," I remarked. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "The landlord of the Alpha." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "I cannot imagine." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day his forehead." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "I was certainly surprised to find you there." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "May I see it?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if up this clue while it is still hot." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" at once, for I have only half an hour." with the outside air!" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Nearly eleven." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "That is possible." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for see me here to avoid scandal." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to golden eyeglasses. "'Yes, sir.' Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is case-book, which he consulted. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to to tackle the facts." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "You saw the ventilator, too?" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" that he has suffered." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with ill-usage at the hands of fortune. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" made his money." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until who was a member of your goose club." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the highroad, where all traces were lost. "Then, as to money?" Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for and no precautions can guard against." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my any little problem which you may submit to me." it. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull night.' said he. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Mary, has deserted me." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I quickly through a disagreeable task. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin for securing the situation." had this final quarrel? "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "I think that it is very probable." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "You have but to name it." morning." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "I saw her in conversation with her maid." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in the night.' upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "I cannot tell." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were This is what he says: "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll that there was nothing in it, after all." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "And I say east," said my patient. said I. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King something of him before." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right one of them." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "It is his hat." "I came to find a friend." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the danger is over." one of the states of the Union." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. and I shall be with you presently." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Holmes' thin, eager face. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense dead, shall be safe with us." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not