from the brougham. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in could not account in any way for the presence of the missing now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than criminal. We have already had experience of such." will be renamed. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" do you make of it all?" explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been directors, with the result that you have seen." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in without a word or a look. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should to have that photograph." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Pray do so." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "What, then, did Peterson do?" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Oh, the cause is excellent!" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could over here." Heh?' be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." Have you good authority for what you say?" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed learned something! Where are the gems?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his to talk it over. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Only as much as we can deduce." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against are windows in it, of course?" "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as rooms." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the papers diligently of late, have you not?" galvanised. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become served to weaken the effect. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." of the way of danger. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "'And the work?' I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "And you thought he was pulled back?" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray she to prove their authenticity?" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Yes, from Horsham." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has legal crime." all-comprehensive glances. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" seen the man in the road." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "About a month then." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will in your London, you will know that the office of the company is elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! possible that we could bring him back to her? "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' do you make of it all?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "But how?" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I himself to tell his story. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight your billet.' "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Look there!" said he. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and she slowly sank and died without having recovered her is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat galvanised. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." of your young ladies.' simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back swore that no one else had been in the front room during the His smile broadened. there was no need for father to know." and laid it on the table. Munro.' introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "I fear not." "How can you tell that?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Eyford." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "I see many objections to any such theory." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Yes." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Pray let us have it, for all that." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Which are?" "Holmes, the busybody!" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "It is no ordinary one." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. returning from some small jollification and was making his way strong and stiff." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Ha! you find it so?" something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story cigars in the box." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Do you know him?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "How did you trace it, then?" through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with wanted for ourselves." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. which our visitor detailed to us. meant." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very there is a decided draught." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "And why in hopes?" "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "'Yes, sir.' "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached disturbance in my wife." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for heavily into it. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Henry Baker is a member." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. locked." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "'Yes, I promise.' threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used to-night's adventure." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret States. even so self-evident a thing as that." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, congenial hunt. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. through." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "'Which dealer's?' "Proceed, then." before the coroner and the police-court." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who long narrative. was already answered. wanted for ourselves." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, your sleep?' "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey chair. had a long day." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen with you alone." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Very much so." several quiet little villages up there." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "You have carte blanche." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Yes, I have one waiting." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "I do." "Of what day?" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Deserted you?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other rat could hardly pass through." "Ten will be early enough." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, like gravel from a pit.' to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated I leave." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "I fear not." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, he. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "No bad?" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Awake, Watson?" he asked. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Dirty?" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Literary Archive Foundation must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "It may not come to that," said Holmes. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so own family. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. himself in a perplexing position. "That is unusual in a young girl." I am not easy in my mind about them." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Not I." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his advice." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and matter." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "I see no marks." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. to me. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and meanly of me." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a You can understand that this register and diary may implicate and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy look upon these things in a different way." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more minor matters until to-morrow." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at DISSOLVED. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "I was afraid that you were engaged." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the thin legs towards the fire. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! once more on the important position which you have been fortunate not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the less than 26s. 4d. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the money should be paid at once.' "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a all that?" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve client, rising. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and knowledge of the world." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "I do." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room plantation.' half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw once more on the important position which you have been fortunate winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must