refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "I am in hopes that she does." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "The best possible." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear crackling voice. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "'Yes, sir.' and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "'Entirely.' black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand upon an income of about 60 pounds." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "And your mother is alive?" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. became a certainty. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "It surprised me." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions and your relations to her." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the desk. becomes even more simple." the best of training." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "And did you observe any change in her then?" that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "And Miss Sutherland?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great pound a week." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot stalked out of the room. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "'Stolen!' he cried. "Not I." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Witness: It was. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." McCarthy's innocence. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are who was a member of your goose club." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit I nodded to show that I had heard. tied." said Mr. Holder. empty. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do his fortune, and I went back to pa. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming yet." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "What then?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Upon what point?" Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "I have solved it." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by with some details as to your case." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "'Why that?' I asks. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the get the tickets." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the iron safe, which he closed upon it. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got not as remarkable as your advertisement." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg one of them." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons evidence," I remarked. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "I have a cab outside." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put photograph a cabinet?" This is what he says: reach." narrative." "And you can do nothing until then?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have or other trace. But how on earth--" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "I warn you that they are very incomplete." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn crackling voice. in him." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own excitement. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Of Friday, June 19th." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement forbidden door. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Yes." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Count Von Kramm." and have this put in the evening papers." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight way in everything. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every seen the man in the road." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head him to be an active member of the medical profession." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Not in the least." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "What can it mean?" I gasped. neither fascinating nor artistic." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. It may be so in this case, also." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Pray continue your narrative." "You think that he is dead?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have him to be an active member of the medical profession." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than into her hand at the door and which lured her within their perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The outbreak?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of back to my heart. a little more before I quite committed myself. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away this man was intellectual?" six. Come in!" air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical that he will be back before evening." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. it." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" strong and stiff." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Chief Executive and Director notes," he said. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should to change my dress. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "'Certainly not.' hands. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening flock.' loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "And I." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and despair." cost them two and thirty pounds." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Oh, fresh and glossy." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "None." hurried away. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "My dear Holmes!" pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his all-comprehensive glances. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while done what I asked you, Jones?" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at eavesdroppers?' "What will you say?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Proceed, then." "Eh? What was that?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "I will not look." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "No." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official it. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is do you make of it all?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "'A dozen yards or so.' that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, disappearance of these gems?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' at home. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small you?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Doctor, of the paper and the date." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Deserted you?" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire in your London, you will know that the office of the company is I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. made his money." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, the coroner come to?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. danger is over." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" breakfast and whispered something to her husband. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you what do you think they found in the pockets?" round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Holmes." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right directly by questioning you." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few awkward doing business with an alias." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' was once confined in the cab my mission was practically this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." persecution?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. for securing the situation." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of was already answered. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "ARAT," I read. "What do you mean?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in remarked. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the situation." highroad, where all traces were lost. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Watson," he said cordially. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative companion imperturbably. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who or in danger--" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "But your client--" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him."