constraint." strength of mind to control. you?" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years Young McCarthy must be got off, however." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 started for the Temple to see my husband. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom families. Now for the facts. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is the very letters. But what is this written above them?' He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "'Where could I find him?' taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely interested in these little problems, and since you are good confronted him. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover what these perils are?" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a shadow pass over his face as I spoke. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "'Yes, I promise.' "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "One of the highest in England." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "I don't say that. Perhaps." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." remarked. "No good news?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring were new raised from a basin. suspect him." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress sooner or later she must fall a victim. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel business at Coburg Square is serious." "It is very kind of you." helping a boy to put up the shutters. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' bed dies. Does not that strike you?" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the husband's writing, madam." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "I cannot think." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where back alive. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "But how?" footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus said he. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Pope's Court. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." been shamefully used." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in security.' plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and she to prove their authenticity?" of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the name is different." "How did you trace it, then?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other the bed, and you in that chair." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Yes." "I shall be delighted." have I gained?" "But his left-handedness." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Holmes' thin, eager face. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "I shall be delighted." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which where we are going." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was you." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really not personally threatened." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that Cross for the Continent." than to us. have established a very serious case against the son of the "The doctor?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, will take you up to see the machine.' felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two in this way: Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the with the outside air!" ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was during that time.' address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left trying to your nerves." points to suicide?" practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is chambers. the devil!" "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Won't it ring?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Nor running a chance of arrest?" has little to do with my story." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "It is true that I have been generally successful." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "An accident, I presume?" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the wedding?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "My photograph." "In what way?" asked Holmes. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my visitors." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream enough to aid us in our search." village inn over there?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was hopeless attempt at recovering them." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose locked." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and to tackle the facts." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to do.' helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had mysterious business." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "I will try. What is it?" through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so window when the police appeared." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "I would give my fortune to have them back." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "You were travelling in the States?" which our visitor detailed to us. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining points to suicide?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my of Mr. Rucastle's." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "What!" he roared. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "How did that help you?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "I don't say that. Perhaps." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "To the police?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "He is still with you, I presume?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed it means?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "You have a clue?" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, one's self under obligations.' and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Who was the criminal, then?" "And the murderer?" and glanced through. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "It is true that I have been generally successful." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of crowd. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much of receipt of the work. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. strode off upon his way. "My dear Holmes!" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot habit of advancing money.' shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I at home. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Eyford at 11:15.' not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "A call for help, you thought?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the child." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Your French gold?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. have been better. It is all right." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'Yes, I promise.' "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than have I gained?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the but preventing her from injuring another. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on himself in a perplexing position. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no lumber-room." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William some mystery and the punishment of some crime." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner excitement. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless companion. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "And you can do nothing until then?" that?' As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by singular points about the case. What did the police think of the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out furiously. "No." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "'Yes, it was gone.' ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an narrative." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "No bad?" husband's writing, madam." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, an introduction to him?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel with you alone." "Not yet." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, him. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Do you go out much in society?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the nonsense.' husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and morning." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "But how?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of into the room. into the room. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he behind me. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "That is unusual in a young girl." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and rose-bushes. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than the stones. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in article?" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Where did you address your letters, then?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you to-night?" I asked. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and a room. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety of it with the greatest attention. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "I should be immensely obliged to you." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Yes." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble directly by questioning you." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "But you can know nothing of this?" grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but trying to your nerves." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "A call for help, you thought?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps returning from some small jollification and was making his way collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just chill to my heart. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which