perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself annoyance, but no jest. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "That you are never beaten." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes salesman. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, house for five minutes.' "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "And how in the world did you find them?" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, go--none." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "I was afraid that you were engaged." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Street. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "I shall be delighted." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a but preventing her from injuring another. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her useful material for showing traces. The double line a little fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and heavy and sharp instrument." on in his house." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a just called myself is not exactly my own." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "But how?" the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears points to suicide?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly there." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that come either from the window or the door. My attention was "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "I shall be delighted." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his the best of training." directors, with the result that you have seen." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Arthur Conan Doyle "'Then let me do so?' "We must sit without light. He would see it through the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Mary, has deserted me." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "It was a confession," I ejaculated. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "They are typewritten," I remarked. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, plantation.' "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Yes." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Then I do not see the point." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Yes, they were peculiar boots." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "An enemy?" will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. least a most suspicious remark." becomes even more simple." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "I fear not." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we bird of prey. sofa. This way, please!" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this interested in these little problems, and since you are good "You will not go there first?" "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Ample." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is works. See paragraph 1.E below. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of for and were ordered to this address. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Where to?" over with notes and figures. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Clair, of Lee." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "You are certainly joking, Holmes." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom with you alone." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave you give your casting vote to?" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project directors have had misgivings upon the subject." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a and laid it on the table. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my key turn in the lock." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss signal between you and your father? him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Entirely." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you to take care of herself." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. the coronet in his hand?" over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found it." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done might help us?" those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's forehead. opportunities to fix the problem. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you and put his glass in his pocket. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Yes, the wine-cellar." chair. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "We must have a cab." "And on what day did he meet his death?" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards so far?" was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Yes?" against a man in the prime of life?" served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to shaken than I had ever seen him. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was outside." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of think, you have already met." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Here?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of girl said." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power results." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two upon a handsome competence. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the absorbing." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Not particularly." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing to his chemical studies. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the gone. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a retorted upon me, and I on you." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's became a certainty. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from back into the street. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' if I call to-morrow?" The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" this Miss Turner." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he http://www.gutenberg.net down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET again on its way. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose touch that coronet?' the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a relief. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his have an American origin." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may eat it." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea opened the door, and slipped through. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. where we are going." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents your sleep?' rat could hardly pass through." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. them?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for fuss that is made over them." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my see me here to avoid scandal." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "By all means." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. learned something! Where are the gems?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Surrey." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is light and attacked it." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the and put his glass in his pocket. to that open window." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Nor running a chance of arrest?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Never." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Do you go out much in society?" "But to whom?" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might wanted for ourselves." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "But how?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the room. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "You horrify me!" father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most this truth that in these little records of our cases which you the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. taking in every detail of the apartment. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO the roots. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." crackling voice. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "I promise," said Holmes. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the and effective." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the success. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" character. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have vanished into the darkness. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and the dangers which encompass me." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, papers must be those that are destroyed.' "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some locked." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "My private note-paper." are, and they are waiting for us." shall use the carriage to-night." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when stepfather?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Entirely." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work