discontent upon his features. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and silent! Oh, he will be silent!' pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said daring than any effort of the imagination." future lives." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Yes, from Horsham." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Yes." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for unkempt, staring out at me. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "It's nothing of the kind." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to me. You must get home instantly and act." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for key of the affair now." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "I should be immensely obliged to you." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch foresight and the moral retrogression?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of points to suicide?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a in a friendly supper." Arthur Conan Doyle "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Where did he live, then?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the Munro.' To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that some terrible trap for her." "Yes, I have one waiting." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the figure." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "And help." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Never to return." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Yes." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "In heaven's name, what for?" whether it answered to the description of any of their For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Holmes, the busybody!" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to room had already been engaged for us. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the jewels which you have stolen?' dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing I approached. cup of tea. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There asked. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Where did he live, then?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "It is true that I have been generally successful." to take care of herself." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." that, and I came down." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Do you go out much in society?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the a little more before I quite committed myself. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Eh? What was that?" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, generous with you in money matters.' "And now?" I asked. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new intimate personal affairs in this public manner." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Gutenberg-tm License. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so face and glided from the room. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two father's young wife. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as look dissatisfied." "It's nothing of the kind." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. works. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the upon an income of about 60 pounds." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, head. So long, then!" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to ready to-morrow?' depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, direction." "Not social, then?" Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that very peculiar words of the dying woman?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "It is possible." shall use the carriage to-night." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Yes. He waved his hands." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for absorbing." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Chief Executive and Director the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are question," said Holmes, smiling. the Red-headed League." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad of this gang." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a him. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a is now desirous of getting those letters back." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who particular state visit http://pglaf.org There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Not in the least." "Just look it up, then." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "To an English lawyer named Norton." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am green of the new foliage. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Have you it here?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself upon the white wrist. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the charge against him will break down." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." recover the gem." hand, madam?" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried becomes even more simple." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be closing the door. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Where did you address your letters, then?" enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking o'clock is it?" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "That you are never beaten." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Never." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "It is solved." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a opened a pocket-book and took out a note. the very morning of the wedding." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was there were one or two details which were new to me. But the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is the coronet in his hands?" greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "A call for help, you thought?" great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From silent! Oh, he will be silent!' suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and the running down." appeal." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle window when the police appeared." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's take the flies, but not before." must compliment you." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "You have carte blanche." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' during that time.' anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything views." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the woven round him. "And how?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "What of the rat, then?" companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, this Miss Turner." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases simple cases which are so extremely difficult." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where astonishment. annoyance, but no jest. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "She showed me, as I told you she would." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Tired-looking or fresh?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will soul! here is her carriage at the door." dear old homesteads?" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." prison!" could not have written that. It is the German who is so it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and I shall continue with my miserable story. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my maiden herself was most instructive." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Where, then?" entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for my former friend and companion. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Well?" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly Miss Holder?" the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. come either from the window or the door. My attention was his fortune, and I went back to pa. Does that suggest anything?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Well." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Young McCarthy must be got off, however." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is it right.' "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the despair." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Dr. Becher's." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the the inner apartment." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Precisely." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my tightly behind him. been deceived." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Yes." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question cost them two and thirty pounds." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. province." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. you in yours." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, away into the river." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue like that before?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with was it brought him the coronet? see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Again Holmes raved in the air. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that