suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had said I. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling ways including including checks, online payments and credit card shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from in his power. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "But she could not love him." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "It's nothing of the kind." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Dirty?" the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "'Very good.' The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Where, then, is my wife?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "But she could not love him." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, despair." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom in my life." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to constraint." not within a twentieth part of the market price." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It the best of training." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she his eyes and forehead. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "No, I had a dozen." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted before the coroner and the police-court." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your clang of the bell. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must there were one or two details which were new to me. But the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She Foundation it right.' outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. on re-entering her father's house?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "This photograph!" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Not I." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his appeal." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the forehead. place no limit on the sum I may draw." garden below. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Breckinridge is his name." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. bled considerably." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' your Highness to the police-station?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned your sleep?' understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "In the cells." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that that up this clue while it is still hot." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "This photograph!" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "I will do it." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "I should like to see him very much." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean trying to your nerves." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon cheerful." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said ran thus: clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "'As governess?' once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of cheerful." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Yes, it would be as well." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Nothing." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'Yes, I promise.' there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a might have a private word with us. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Could he throw no light?" "Stolen." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark one of them." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. question," said Holmes, smiling. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely tension within him. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "The Cedars?" "I am all attention, madam." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time that you can jump it.' a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put Young McCarthy must be got off, however." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. him, that man would not have given me such complete information '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable down. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "It is very kind of you." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving that the little opening for the ventilator is." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Yes, the wine-cellar." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. house for five minutes.' for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to fled together." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Which are?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. official police." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her our word." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional you." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "A thing like a cleaver," said he. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "'Where could I find him?' buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still help us in this matter." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind to his chemical studies. late." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "'Oh, no.' certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "What then?" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some during that time.' to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is strong reason behind." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as placed his cuttings. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient hands. "He is still with you, I presume?" from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "'Oh, no.' have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. fact, we may call it conclusive." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. learned something! Where are the gems?" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor lost his Christmas dinner." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short strode off upon his way. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "But how could you guess what the motive was?" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Holmes. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think excitement. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of to his chemical studies. "You have carte blanche." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned hand, madam?" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "No, thank goodness, she did not." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to points to suicide?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Leadenhall Street--and--" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the prison!" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down and inquire as to the address." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. several quiet little villages up there." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One gone. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Do you know him?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make here." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "But I am all in the dark." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, she to prove their authenticity?" "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "'I am sure if I had known--' me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching correct than the official force." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing foot. shaken than I had ever seen him. "Well?" What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "You have the photograph?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Street. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can cost them two and thirty pounds." I am not easy in my mind about them." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "I don't believe it." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can lamp. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the the side-table." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "He said that you could solve anything." the bed, and you in that chair." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. it." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had are, I think, all that we need." despaired of." "This photograph!" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "But she could not love him." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "What have you to say now?" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination straighten it?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the coronet at all injured?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary of Fenchurch Street." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses without a word or a look. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "No. What a strange idea!" paper in the air. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was how narrow had been my escape. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Pray continue your narrative." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." I. bill, which interests me deeply." friend's singular character. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Farm upon the left." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third in. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "He is still with you, I presume?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "10th. John Swain cleared. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "In heaven's name, what for?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last felt?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Your French gold?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie rat could hardly pass through." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet walking." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "He said too much." is four-and-twenty." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same bill, which interests me deeply." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. without a word or a look. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Stoke Moran?" said he. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there My friend smiled. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland DISSOLVED. "'In my own bureau.' fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha!