"You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of But Holmes shook his head gravely. third from London." "I never have." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Serpentine Avenue. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his washing it down with a long draught of water. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "It is solved." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Breckinridge is his name." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Project Gutenberg-tm works. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a companion imperturbably. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE that he will be back before evening." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, call for it in person on Monday morning.' dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Nearly eleven." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "'Never.' the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change the warnings." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a be sorry for having acted so harshly." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "In heaven's name, what for?" "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if or in danger--" Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Here?" "But how?" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic very peculiar words of the dying woman?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Always." you." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous spark where all is dark to me." writer." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the driver. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Game for a morning drive?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "I cannot say that I have." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" who was a member of your goose club." door?" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "How did you trace it, then?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out and prosperity to your house. Good-night." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, of his shoulders. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." that he will be back before evening." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different directly by questioning you." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone were unconscious?" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did and glanced through. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled meanly of me." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the warnings." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I do.' should be taken.' "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the round with crates and massive boxes. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the tension within him. bird I ate is country bred." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an crime." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We the driver. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." with some details as to your case." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, clang of the bell. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "But to whom?" to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." your room." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "On your arm?" "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this dates and names. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "But his left-handedness." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might me what he had done with the three missing stones. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." the stable lane now." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to was already answered. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "There are none." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "'Yes, sir.' "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that existence." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "I cannot think." "I have my revolver," said I. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "That also I could fathom." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Yes, that is the Crown." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "It came here." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not to arrive at through this?" and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words meant it for the best. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from to tackle the facts." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." chance." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "It's nothing of the kind." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "'You cannot say what it was?' eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "No?" bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "No." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian certainly do as you advise." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was existence." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with wedding?" said Mr. Holder. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Never." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that as this. Pray let me have the details." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, crime. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and letters?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "That you are never beaten." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into despair." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. get her out of the way." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Where does the thing come from?' find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held the armchair which I pushed forward for him. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope at once, for I have only half an hour." away into the river." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt lids now and glanced across at his visitor. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. papers." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our events than those which have happened in my own family." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her again on its way. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here simple cases which are so extremely difficult." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Why serious?" past. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Eyford at 11:15.' instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "I would give my fortune to have them back." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "And how?" hour?' "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "He disappeared so suddenly." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what some city in a dream. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "And Miss Sutherland?" down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that me." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Very well, sir. And this stone?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable awkward doing business with an alias." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most recover the gem." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "By train from Waterloo." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Holmes' thin, eager face. within hail.' owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he entirely lost his self-respect." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a that who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a may never be exposed to such a temptation." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all which I could not give. He asked for Alice. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "But what is it you wish?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Holmes rather sternly. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two tassel actually lying upon the pillow. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Here?" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Pray let us have it, for all that." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "But we can't all be." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon three of the beryls in it, was missing. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to point our research must commence, and we will begin it by the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her results." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and chance at all." if only as a check to my own memory." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "It is very kind of you." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down his fortune, and I went back to pa. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a