"That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Stolen, then." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "'Where to?' likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for companion. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and sofa. This way, please!" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss back into the street. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really such person." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "There is the writing." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought three fields round his house, and there he would take his his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "When did she vanish, then?" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously time." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would Count Von Kramm." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock giving me time to thank him. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. upon the shelf for the interim." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "In San Francisco, a year ago." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "I cannot imagine." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a disappearance of the bride.'" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the him and tried to hold him back. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "'And the work?' impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I annoyance, but no jest. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Tired-looking or fresh?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "BALLARAT." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how been able to understand it, in a very few words. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "I cannot say that I have." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "And for present expenses?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true point in the dark hollow of his hand. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be notes," he said. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "No, I am descending." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, intrusion of other matters." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "To ruin me." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Nothing." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a wedding?" little trying to do so much typewriting?" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Yes, at the mines." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My bird of prey. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw absorbing." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" of it with the greatest attention. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at threw himself down with his face to the pillow. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Arthur Conan Doyle threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if redistribution. what do you think they found in the pockets?" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the more solid." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing yourselves in at night?" what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though begun to whiten, even as mine has." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should became a certainty. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and go from here to the Strand." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "No more words. Get out!" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his interests were the same as his." beg that you will break it off." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty me. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet your sleep?' "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Precisely." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever with you alone." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the attention." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Proceed, then." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would my secret was safe in his possession. it." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, back into the street. clanging. business matters.' the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the I shall continue with my miserable story. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is would apply.' shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "'About the same.' I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "'Tell me all about it,' said I. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I mystery." before, for it was considerably after midnight. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "If so, much may have happened between." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to to a more successful conclusion." "What?" "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly and shall probably return to London by the evening train." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "'I have already given you my word.' round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe said he. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for intrusion of other matters." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any door?" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the appeared upon the scene." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than case before our client came into the room." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "That you are never beaten." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "I was certainly surprised to find you there." be best to do. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "'Yes.' mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "If I can be of use." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," families. Now for the facts. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the trying to your nerves." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Not particularly." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Where did you address your letters, then?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when think you a quite exceptional woman." never to learn it at all." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Precisely so. But how--" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two hour?' us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. present." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "You think that he is dead?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" rooms." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "'What then?' I asked. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Indeed! Whose, then?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, said he. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, young Openshaw's." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "But he might be a bachelor." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was the inquest, and which are worth considering." "And the murderer?" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in that you can jump it.' where Mr. Fordham shows you.' have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or quickly through a disagreeable task. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb correct than the official force." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with unprecedented a position." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel is so. I know all about McCarthy." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, nonsense.' matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Ten will be early enough." nights." "You think so, too?" least a most suspicious remark." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Seven!" I answered. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. best detective that ever lived. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "But how will you look?" in a friendly supper." "The knees of his trousers." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and events, Mr. Windibank!" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on gbnewby@pglaf.org sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's more solid." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission present." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." light and attacked it." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had his eyes and forehead. or in danger--" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "'I am sure that I do not know.' the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down crime." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. his face. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you not within a twentieth part of the market price." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the