them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was because she had spent so short a time in this country that she furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "I guessed as much." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "By no means." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "And it is--" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Where did he live, then?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house the running down." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate served to weaken the effect. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock girl said." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is III. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off standing smiling on the door-step. "In the cells." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently gives a meaning to it." of Fenchurch Street." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come himself in a perplexing position. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper handed it to him. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "How can you tell that?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "What will you do, then?" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the flock.' "He disappeared so suddenly." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his everything which you would wish to know." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE next day. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect more terrible than the truth. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Thank you. Pray proceed." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A prove to be little relation between the different incidents of completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "I say it is." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "If so, much may have happened between." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the Red-headed League." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "To an end?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut be best to do. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your any more." "I am to be neutral?" "Yes, that is the Crown." people don't know." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely was once confined in the cab my mission was practically The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Won't it ring?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old it right.' "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no gone. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the ventilator." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "None." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you and a shock of very red hair. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack other, as fresh and trim as possible. light and attacked it." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible when your master had gone out." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he go from here to the Strand." our word." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Ha! you find it so?" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said details should find their way into the papers. Inspector He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite was used.' to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Yes, that is the Crown." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a pierced for earrings?" once more to my work. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, populous neighbourhood." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, been able to understand it, in a very few words. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "And how did he make his money?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Was the window open?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "I am still in the dark." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of experiences." quickly through a disagreeable task. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was bonnet, and went out." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. miles off. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the think, you have already met." "'Never.' everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss joking. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Did you become engaged then?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Count Von Kramm." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." for securing the situation." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a was shining brightly. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. astonishment. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came bled considerably." "BALLARAT." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the daring than any effort of the imagination." "But to whom?" said I. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was south, for the country is more deserted there." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I disappearance of these gems?" "No, distinctly professional." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Where, then, is my wife?" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "And the murderer?" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported written, and locked the door of the office after me. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Where, indeed?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "I am armed." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "I shall most certainly do so." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "I should wish to." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." bird I ate is country bred." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a carpenter." cigars in their mouths. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. was a lad." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in writing, and yet I know it well." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker tail." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and such attractions and accomplishments?' golden eyeglasses. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Yes, from Horsham." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "You have a clue?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, horse could go." "Married! When?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his mystery may be cleared along those lines." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "'As governess?' connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case amused." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The opportunities to fix the problem. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his that you saw all that I did." never will be, entirely cleared up. it means?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or see me here to avoid scandal." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of relief. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "She showed me, as I told you she would." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Not yet." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is o'clock is it?" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical This is what he says: "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so fait accompli?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "'And what salary do you ask?' room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "This photograph!" "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took what is your own theory as to what took place?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he meant it for the best. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "My dear Holmes!" the matter." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET hair?' we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. house for five minutes.' could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Well." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so I was concerned in it." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "'Ten to two.' never to learn it at all." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the some terrible trap for her." bears upon the case?" of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and envelope. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have writing, and yet I know it well." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white in the port of London." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little I shall continue with my miserable story. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Thank you. Pray proceed." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "But it has twice been burgled." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to