subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "And you can do nothing until then?" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," October 9, 1890. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Game for a morning drive?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "You have it, sir, just as it happened." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is vault. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your signal between you and your father? "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me astonishment. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, sound at heart." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Certainly." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "My dear Holmes!" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in thought that she would have been so carried away." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." in darkness. "Not particularly." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and unprofitable." jewels which you have stolen?' reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Always." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough nothing of it?" enough to aid us in our search." "How did that help you?" way in everything. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "In what way?" asked Holmes. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. lost nothing by them." ran thus: idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "I cannot think." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "It must be recovered." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was neither fascinating nor artistic." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Which are?" breakfast and whispered something to her husband. the inner apartment." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own the stable lane now." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there any more." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been Farm upon the left." "Yesterday." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will that there was nothing in it, after all." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which confronted him. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the into the bag, and made for the door. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with trifles." "She walked into the breakfast-room." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a amused." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but be sorry for having acted so harshly." "This photograph!" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "It was a confession," I ejaculated. them?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "I will try. What is it?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." colour had been driven from his face. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Who was the criminal, then?" are windows in it, of course?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose instincts rose up against that laugh. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned chambers. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some noise which awoke you from your sleep?" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, the King without delay." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who points to suicide?" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a unprofitable." seven miles from Eyford Station.' real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the to surprise her." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom to miss it." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the License. You must require such a user to return or But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a better grown goose." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. I think that I could be of assistance to you." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept you found me to-night--and running through the front room she transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly fire. You quite follow me?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and is," said he presently: That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not you." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, voice. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "10th. John Swain cleared. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become records." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Just look it up, then." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, disturbance in my wife." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. hard-headed British jury." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included happened." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "By all means." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that what I may call a really hard day's work." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the his forehead." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this are windows in it, of course?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, had formerly been in part my own. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some you." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few your troubles." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "A call for help, you thought?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security said he at last. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Edgeware Road. sooner or later she must fall a victim. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. have had none more fantastic than this." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in speckled band?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is the stable lane now." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he with you?" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to house for five minutes.' arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove get the tickets." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The opportunities to fix the problem. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Pope's Court. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "We were both in the photograph." "'Yes, I promise.' leave you to your papers for a little." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is Sutherland?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "And you can do nothing until then?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "What office?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "How are you getting on?" "I was afraid that you were engaged." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "And you don't know his address?" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had nothing of it?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's were wasted." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the purpose equally well?" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me you want, then?' built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against anything to do with the matter?" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian seen the man in the road." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were so far?" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "And how did he make his money?" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "My private note-paper." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do train from Paddington which would bring you there at about strode off upon his way. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Precisely." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "I cannot imagine." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "No. His orders were to stay in the house." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey 1.E.9. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "I would pay ten." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for rooms." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I question," said Holmes, smiling. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it chance." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was it." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very only touch the interest." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. redistribution. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into eavesdroppers?' "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you the Red-headed League." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, call it cruel." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. photograph?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall The King stared at him in amazement. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel than was visible to me." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low his wife has ceased to love him." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see very morning of my second wedding." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Was he the only applicant?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had again before evening." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love fat-encircled eyes. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to you."