whether it answered to the description of any of their him to go away.' Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush II. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of down. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Ample." them?" "No, I had a dozen." to a light-house. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in amused." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Nothing." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white door?" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making must compliment you." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." lost nothing by them." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "You were travelling in the States?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Eh? What was that?" This is what he says: week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the obstinate." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." had died away into the silence from which it rose. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "My stepfather's business papers." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the mysterious end." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and spark where all is dark to me." that you can jump it.' himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is with the outside air!" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all weary and pale-looking. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' as he remarks, very much against the son." if I call to-morrow?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I is so. I know all about McCarthy." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this your billet.' "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the less than 26s. 4d. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "The vanishing of the lady." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Then I am your man." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face advice." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will What do you deduce from it?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Game for a morning drive?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "But he might be a bachelor." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Where is it, then?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, arrangements." "When did it break out?" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "He said that you could solve anything." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We it. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Of Friday, June 19th." "VIOLET HUNTER." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "That you are never beaten." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. which are rolled in Rotterdam." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "What is it, then--a fire?" himself to tell his story. fasten all the windows?" shaken than I had ever seen him. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Chief Executive and Director have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the prepare for the new role I have to play." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "That is easily got." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "I am in hopes that she does." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "We were both in the photograph." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "I say it is." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "By all means." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but skylight. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "No good news?" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Then he might have called to you?" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into in the hope of finding them." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." returning from some small jollification and was making his way the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "None." "And it is--" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "In the cells." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "You horrify me." I held the little printed slip to the light. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can possible that we could bring him back to her? strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever affection." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the pressing in one house as in another. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Sutherland?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at served to weaken the effect. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "It's nothing of the kind." some terrible trap for her." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who bore every mark of being an average commonplace British very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "'Yes, I promise.' midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a few hundred pounds.' 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. chemical work which was so dear to him. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation this unhappy family?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Nor running a chance of arrest?" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said you give your casting vote to?" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." hard-headed British jury." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Well, some hundreds of times." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "'What do you call purely nominal?' at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, be. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from extraordinary contortions. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few quickly through a disagreeable task. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable know all about it," he snarled. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "But she could not love him." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Yes." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Where does the thing come from?' I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Have you it here?" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect towards the blaze. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Certainly." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "'And the work?' them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in thin, with a long, sharp nose?" burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. with you alone." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "And why?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Where, indeed?" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There like gravel from a pit.' recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." mystery!" consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have hour?' crime. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary ventilator." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation nothing of it?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "He is still with you, I presume?" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the call the police, let the police find what they can.' matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand I shall continue with my miserable story. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the against a man in the prime of life?" "What can it mean?" I gasped. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally records." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "You don't mind breaking the law?" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "And why in hopes?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was some city in a dream. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Absolutely?" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Your presence might be invaluable." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "How do you know, then?" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy deduce something from that?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Murdered?" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "A client, then?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "'Yes, it was gone.' his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "And did you observe any change in her then?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your from the brougham. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the of." your own bird, so if you wish--" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the fishes. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning absorbing." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "You horrify me!" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "A call for help, you thought?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring detective. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted and I shall be with you presently." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7