once more. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at go back?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Yes, at the mines." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, in my life." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other overpowering excitement and concern. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the the tragedy. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight which was all perfectly true. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that have had none more fantastic than this." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, less than 26s. 4d. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "He disappeared so suddenly." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation power." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we quick march!" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Again Holmes raved in the air. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and there were so many in the whole country as were brought together politicians who had been sent down from the North. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while certainly not very gracious." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of have one." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, McCarthy." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting so far?" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking little adventures." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting now. It seems that there had been some informality about their beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Dr. Becher's." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who and a shock of very red hair. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Your French gold?" were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Entirely." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Very. But will he see it?" "Did he not advertise?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil six. Come in!" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." beg that you will break it off." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" this as likely?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "What do you mean?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself it right.' hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while writer." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up man. I know him from the photograph." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. is a common subject for conversation. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "And how?" clanging. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to to you." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had hour?' Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that in this way: police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your have established a very serious case against the son of the burst out into a roar of laughter. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent the stones. as yours." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of compunction about shooting them down." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened friend's singular character. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." London for the present?" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" roused himself from his reverie. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place which was all perfectly true. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up because she had spent so short a time in this country that she practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many conceal it?" you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through the room while you explain this matter?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that grasp, he hurried from the room. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to plantation.' never came back." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than remarked. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our have an American origin." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It she used." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of later, upon the night of May 2nd." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "'What would be the hours?' I asked. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the cause to be." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding national property. I was determined that the law should have its have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are the little opening for the ventilator is." to tell." "She walked into the breakfast-room." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He all-comprehensive glances. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little particular state visit http://pglaf.org rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say bird of prey. Mary, has deserted me." have an American origin." I nodded to show that I had heard. reach." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "No." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look throat." "Yes." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "That's no good." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "'It is locked up,' I answered. the inner apartment." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." is acting for the best. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about throat." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "The knees of his trousers." "It is very kind of you." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem upon the shelf for the interim." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "I cannot as yet see any connection." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have things are very often connected not with the larger but with the memory. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here companion imperturbably. bears upon the case?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." way in everything. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Why serious?" "Stoke Moran?" said he. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for over with notes and figures. "The murder was done with it." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of at my own good fortune. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, think that he is innocent?" the coronet in his hands?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Then he might have called to you?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "It is possible." "It was." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have arrangements." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey off." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Come in!" said he. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "My photograph." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "'What, the red-headed man?' "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Pool. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I the coronet at all injured?" Miss Holder?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I this poor creature." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester you." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our But Holmes shook his head gravely. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "One of his hands." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his you do it in twenty minutes!' meanly of me." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing constraint." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. in my life." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There strode off upon his way. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my your sleep?' How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of of it with the greatest attention. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say pound a week." "I promise," said Holmes. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. about. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it would apply.' large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "But to whom?" manager. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered bell. Holmes whistled. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a photograph?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it up this clue while it is still hot." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, unclasping of his long thin hands. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold and a shock of very red hair. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Holmes. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I wedding?" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. into the room. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon pound a week." once more. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend triumphant cloud from his cigarette. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Deserted you?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I completely overtopped every other consideration that we both enter into my head. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "'Yes, sir.'