the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "How did that help you?" morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out to have been novel and of interest." of the way of danger. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. The King stared at him in amazement. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I showing my impatience. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew relation between them, and what the object of his repeated window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old McCarthy." tear off another piece?' over here." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an there in twenty minutes." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great copied or distributed: India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Certainly, madam." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "How are you getting on?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have least a most suspicious remark." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility and the whole place is in a blaze." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "What is it?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Where to?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no indeed happy." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "'Then let me do so?' breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said against a man in the prime of life?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "If so, much may have happened between." yourselves in at night?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with chemical work which was so dear to him. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending people in all walks of life. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for distinguish the words: "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "None." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE as he remarks, very much against the son." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He of." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple outbreak?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came at home. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in nothing of it?" in this way: appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just what I may call a really hard day's work." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "'Never,' said I. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was new duties?' stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing both be extremely obliged.' sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than made him keep the appointment." "I guessed as much." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, made him keep the appointment." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "He said that you could solve anything." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want seem to you to be relevant or not." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "And sit in the dark?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to it were putty." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he again." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Certainly." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any matter over." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. papers on the sundial.'" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so the Friday. Was it to be in church?" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may in him." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads looking up at the numbers of the houses." "I fear not." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a might help us?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who very old mansion. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "'Yes, sir.' "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Yes, all." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Did he not advertise?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Was he the only applicant?" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." companion quietly. this as likely?" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Holmes' face clouded over. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Have you good authority for what you say?" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far morning." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must letters?" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, examine." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, ourselves in the office." it." problems help me to do so." people don't know." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a may have an influence upon European history." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, himself to tell his story. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "And on what day did he meet his death?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. sofa. This way, please!" when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "How on earth--" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "No, finished." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf ashen face. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Witness: I must still refuse. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Not in the least." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "'I have heard so.' "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the at my remark. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "What do you make of that, Watson?" hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his conversation I have gathered that they have been married about upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations secret." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close to-night?" I asked. goes." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "But not more so than I to find you." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the back alive. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would he. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted side. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! was shining brightly. "The King of Scandinavia." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' again on its way. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Certainly." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" to you." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the drove away. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I house for five minutes.' uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "By all means." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some leaning back in his chair. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in three of the beryls in it, was missing. "'I shall certainly be there.' every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed quickly through a disagreeable task. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "An enemy?" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. laugh and put his lips to my ear. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent could not have written that. It is the German who is so company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads throat." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which humiliation." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, room. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Quite so. She has her freedom." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Come in!" said Holmes. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite then?" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was presented which may be striking and bizarre without being you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great drove away. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his have had none more fantastic than this." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "And I say east," said my patient. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and brain must have something in it." "Perfectly so." shall use the carriage to-night." during which he might have communicated with his friend the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "That's no good." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, in this way: years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring been with you?" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. highroad, where all traces were lost. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Yes." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' most interesting one." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried might help us?" "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive one of them." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Was the window open?" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "By no means." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave next day. "But how will you look?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was present." wanted for ourselves." certainly not very gracious." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." than to us. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Yes, from Horsham." corner of the building. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile,