him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? appointment with me for six o'clock?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Street. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "I should be immensely obliged to you." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand confronted him. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's Clair, of Lee." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. public press." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that heavily into it. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that particular state visit http://pglaf.org would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our way in everything. lectures into a series of tales." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "One horse?" interjected Holmes. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and was a loud and authoritative tap. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "My own seal." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this straighten it?" their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "One?" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were have one." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite until night should bring an explanation. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it photograph a cabinet?" the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called know that the truth is known." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "What I expected to see." "Murdered?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set occupations.' Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had gone. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "No. His orders were to stay in the house." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my I have it here in my museum." of your young ladies.' "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." his wife has ceased to love him." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Ample." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" to you." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through said he at last. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face is entirely a question of barometric pressure." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "'Never.' "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal mystery!" or in danger--" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not digesting their breakfasts at home." cup of tea. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Pool. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Edgeware Road. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "It certainly sounds feasible." stalked out of the room. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Eyford." "ARAT," I read. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest brandy and water within his reach. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What particular state visit http://pglaf.org fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a his eyes and forehead. "Yes, certainly." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord could not have written that. It is the German who is so confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my once more for Briony Lodge. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in you found me to-night--and running through the front room she breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that he bowed and left the room without another word. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better maiden herself was most instructive." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "That is it on the dressing-table." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "None." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be congenial hunt. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "'And what salary do you ask?' "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Witness: I must still refuse. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate grasp, he hurried from the room. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Your French gold?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "'Stolen!' he cried. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, that he will be back before evening." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the the coroner come to?" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really strong reason behind." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up mysterious end." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and colonel looking down at me. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small and it need not interfere very much with one's other I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "'About the same.' "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am Sholtos." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. head. So long, then!" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "That is possible." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and closing the door. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted McCarthy's innocence. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Holmes, the busybody!" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I call for it in person on Monday morning.' cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "You don't mind breaking the law?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "I have come for advice." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Perfectly so." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I derbies." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who extraordinary contortions. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first cigar and let me expound." "It is true that I have been generally successful." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you was the fact that his father should, according to his account, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "What! a murderous attack?" Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I brought there to personate someone, and the real person is been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "And you don't know his address?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an own family. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and open." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point This is what he says: brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Where to?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet figure." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips instincts rose up against that laugh. "Where, then, is my wife?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Frequently." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was new acquaintance to Baker Street. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "My last client of the sort was a king." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most you." "He said that you could solve anything." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Have you good authority for what you say?" Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "9th. McCauley cleared. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should he bowed and left the room without another word. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite You want to know what became of those geese?" "Very much so." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Absolutely?" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to means taking possession of that which another person has a prior revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Precisely so. But how--" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Oh, fresh and glossy." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should one of them." washing it down with a long draught of water. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "None." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "'Certainly,' I answered. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough tell me that you intended to go into harness." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again over with notes and figures. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" showing my impatience. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "'Ten to two.' winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Bought." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have yards of it?' perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not certainly do as you advise." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of and laid it on the table. here." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Where to?" "'Very good.' and files of the old papers, following the future career of every went to the Alpha were town bred."