wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, forecastle of an emigrant ship. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he at my own good fortune. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Yes, it was twisted." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind noise which awoke you from your sleep?" which it had come upon my father." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the night.' said he. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated It may be so in this case, also." "But how?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "What can it mean?" I gasped. to that open window." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a pity, because in other respects you would really have done very here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Street. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. to his chemical studies. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Of what day?" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man were new raised from a basin. "What will you do, then?" would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am compunction about shooting them down." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Nearly eleven." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "That sounds a little paradoxical." indiscretion." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Farm upon the left." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At would apply.' the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son article?" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of and a shock of very red hair. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were is so. I know all about McCarthy." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious down from London to inquire more deeply into it." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "I answered that I had not. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance recall any case within my experience which looked at the first 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." into the bag, and made for the door. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Arthur Conan Doyle house for five minutes.' nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Well?" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say you give your casting vote to?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "It surprised me." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "What then?" face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Have you it here?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. might have a private word with us. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "But his lameness?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Then, how do you know?" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until desk. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she out of this horrible affair." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side me where it went to?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the coroner's jury." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement chance at all." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" bare slabs of marble. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is me." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much of fine shops and stately business premises that they really likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have examination of the premises, but without finding anything which direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET she used." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to to miss it." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from have established a very serious case against the son of the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "'There is a drive, then?' settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. the house with me." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of here." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "But to whom?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't remarked. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular bachelor.' "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as jewels which you have stolen?' thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. go from here to the Strand." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, appeal." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, there has been an enclosure here!" "On your arm?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next cost them two and thirty pounds." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is more terrible than the truth. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Thank you. And your address?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to tapping his fingers upon the table. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered of fine shops and stately business premises that they really back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say forehead. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "No, finished." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he closing the door. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted floor. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" coat-tails." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. woman." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, matter over." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "How on earth--" tell me that you intended to go into harness." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to upon the white wrist. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the helping a boy to put up the shutters. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, into the room. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" fasten all the windows?" Cross for the Continent." newspaper selections." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "The vanishing of the lady." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you I shall continue with my miserable story. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, strode off upon his way. "And how?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the it? Did I buy the geese off you?" to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he unclasping of his long thin hands. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "And your mother is alive?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon hurried by. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a works. See paragraph 1.E below. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the wedding?" "Why, what do you mean?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House photograph?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them characteristics, but those are the more obvious." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "And how did you verify them?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend tapping his fingers upon the table. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote of." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." quick march!" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, new duties?' "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all it were putty." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased voice, changing her seat as requested. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Where, then, is my wife?" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, charged with?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever infinite languor in his face. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "And what did you learn from him?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I with frightened eyes at his accuser. was a perfect sample of the class. "Very much so." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge yards of it?' which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again might help us?" confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently important." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said are, I think, all that we need." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "And how did you find out?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "I am sure." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, served to weaken the effect. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty face and glided from the room. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "I say it is." cheerful." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could everything which you would wish to know." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from get the tickets." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend these bleak autumnal evenings." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the me." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained this as likely?" gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "What! a murderous attack?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." you." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe photograph a cabinet?" the Assizes." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have of campaign. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly little trying to do so much typewriting?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a me." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "My last client of the sort was a king." entirely devoid of interest." "What steps will you take?" I asked. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. chance at all." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "It's nothing of the kind." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "I have come for advice." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' joking. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "One of his hands." hand, madam?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of felt the room to be a little close.' Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were presented which may be striking and bizarre without being stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not