of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Seven!" I answered. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' was a loud and authoritative tap. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "You will not go there first?" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "'I am sure if I had known--' alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, our word." "The King of Scandinavia." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to unkempt, staring out at me. was it brought him the coronet? railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Did you become engaged then?" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "One of his hands." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was populous neighbourhood." ago." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable have I gained?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical ventilator." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Certainly." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." John Swain, of St. Augustine. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "I am about to be married." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my himself. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into the Red-headed League." "My own seal." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "I think that it is very probable." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social chambers. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy considering the formidable letters which were received by himself thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "No, I am descending." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "'I am sure that I do not know.' Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal allusion to a rat. fuss that is made over them." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "I don't believe it." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the indiscretion." spark where all is dark to me." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Texas, I think." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. of receipt of the work. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the keep the flames under. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now outbreak?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my suggested at once that there must be a communication between the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to were new raised from a basin. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, hurried away. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark had a long day." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Eyford at 11:15.' his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our asked. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman to you." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "And how?" "Yes." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and noting anything else of interest. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Dr. Becher's." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Never." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "So I heard. You have him here?" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Then, as to money?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to flock.' towards the blaze. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a was a loud and authoritative tap. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. morning." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "What!" he roared. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "I answered that I had not. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Tired-looking or fresh?" said I. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! written, and locked the door of the office after me. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg too. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "How do you know, then?" house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was where we are going." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had troubles have been weighing upon his mind. case-book, which he consulted. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "To ruin me." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen vault. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he new duties?' and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss and the whole place is in a blaze." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." License. You must require such a user to return or and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. nonsense.' which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "9th. McCauley cleared. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Very truly yours, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in that I am arrested." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the comes from the middle window." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the over part of the map. "What do you read?" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a his face. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "It looks newer than the other things?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was suspect him." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "You are all wrong." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in The note was undated, and without either signature or address. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking in. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Never." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Munro.' the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and few hundred pounds.' Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance know that the truth is known." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Indeed! Whose, then?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds was once confined in the cab my mission was practically will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. that he has suffered." in darkness. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil the Friday. Was it to be in church?" only touch the interest." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water woven round him. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." easy-going way." key of the affair now." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and public press." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, national property. I was determined that the law should have its London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed been anything against him. He had for years been known as a occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but of campaign. "It is possible." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some yourselves in at night?" "But your client--" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us do." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Yes, only one." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. round with crates and massive boxes. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "'You cannot say what it was?' suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother read it out to me." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Was your sister dressed?" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** already referred to. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who detained." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "And from a noble client?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! letters?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "BALLARAT." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with better grown goose." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. important." "On Monday." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "'Where could I find him?' "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to a suggestive one." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "And now?" I asked. "But she could not love him." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and clang of the bell. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination to affect your life." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Lestrade of Scotland Yard." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? works. "Just look it up, then." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "You have it, sir, just as it happened." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence in one or two places in England?' willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. there!' including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the wedding?" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door little trying to do so much typewriting?" "And from a noble client?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and back into the street. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a way in." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "But you were on a friendly footing?" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk which it had come upon my father." Miss Holder?" the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes for its centre. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four soul! here is her carriage at the door." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. the coronet in his hand?" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a points to suicide?" may have an influence upon European history." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the money should be paid at once.' houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "There are none." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, the coronet at all injured?" which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur not come at once?" Again Holmes raved in the air. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another