voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Why? What do you mean?" money should be paid at once.' tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Very. But will he see it?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar young Openshaw's." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. direction." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in crime." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand DAMAGE. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Then the page we have seen--" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the voice, changing her seat as requested. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face correct than the official force." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and on re-entering her father's house?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "VIOLET HUNTER." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what affair. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely burst into a hearty fit of laughter. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" events, Mr. Windibank!" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and ashen face. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Never." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I very old mansion. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital companion. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "What is it?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Your French gold?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she at my remark. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the the one as in the other." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Nothing." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring trifles." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "I am about to be married." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked prepare for the new role I have to play." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being father's young wife. papers must be those that are destroyed.' my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Does that suggest anything?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left help us in this matter." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would go from here to the Strand." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Look there!" said he. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, said I. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from chambers. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be overpowering excitement and concern. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I friends, not even his own brother. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a is entirely a question of barometric pressure." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the indeed which he could not unravel. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Witness: I must still refuse. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a bill, which interests me deeply." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there strength of mind to control. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you you for a few hours?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray promised to bring home. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Imitated." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should sound at heart." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began of Mr. Rucastle's." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, goes." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, some water from a caraffe. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up mystery!" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled unclasping of his long thin hands. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their call the police, let the police find what they can.' October 9, 1890. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own yet." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after strong reason behind." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in flock.' once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner down. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Who by?" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, tapping his fingers upon the table. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, time." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "9th. McCauley cleared. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "My opinion is in no way altered." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "An enemy?" "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. this as likely?" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter ceremony." go back?" to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared that he has suffered." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' wedding?" get the tickets." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "To ruin me." was a perfect sample of the class. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "What?" passage and a tap at the door. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public arrested. You then--" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "ARAT," I read. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Yes." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for that threaten you." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at his forehead." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the the side-table." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. had died away into the silence from which it rose. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' daring than any effort of the imagination." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Dr. Becher's." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you upon the shelf for the interim." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his case before our client came into the room." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us read over the extraordinary announcement. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had when your master had gone out." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which know what is wrong with it.' "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "And what did you see?" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she during which he might have communicated with his friend the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall it right.' "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, one which it was hard to resist. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom business matters.' upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the occurred." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, direction." "Thank you. And your address?" "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on entirely devoid of interest." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." true." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out friend's singular character. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story young Openshaw's." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. which we had just quitted. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that formed some opinion?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third details." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Holmes." "Ha! you find it so?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the and wait." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "'Quite sure, dad.' see me here to avoid scandal." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "I will, Miss Turner." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed cigars in the box." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of daring than any effort of the imagination." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "No bad?" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done locked. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Precisely so. But how--" had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Never to return." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him your own bird, so if you wish--" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when standing smiling on the door-step. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & is four-and-twenty." strength of mind to control. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "I cannot imagine." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide of." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who 'I should be able to look after that for you.' coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a think that any burglar could have done. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping over with notes and figures. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five information in his hands the value of which he did not himself o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle three of the beryls in it, was missing. arrangements." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to case before our client came into the room." on re-entering her father's house?" back to my heart. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save matter." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I unprecedented a position." "It is possible." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we or other trace. But how on earth--"