permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency respectable self." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have for its centre. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the my former friend and companion. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification heavy and sharp instrument." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. His name is Francis Prosper." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across closely." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "And how in the world did you find them?" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "And sit in the dark?" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Dirty?" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "The knees of his trousers." room?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Well, some hundreds of times." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Where is it, then?" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "I guessed as much." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we and effective." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. will he say when he returns?" cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside three fields round his house, and there he would take his II. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Serpentine Avenue. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "So I heard. You have him here?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." not personally threatened." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what chamber." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied fasten all the windows?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so II. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of hands. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Look there!" said he. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "You horrify me." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was were wasted." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was key of the affair now." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Where, then, is my wife?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be only touch the interest." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive this as likely?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and father's young wife. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Heh?' ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Is he quiet?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face even of instruction." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "In which, sir?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three second." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "I saw her in conversation with her maid." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to once more to my work. husband's writing, madam." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and thin legs towards the fire. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having only touch the interest." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black Doctor, of the paper and the date." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it speckled band?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "If so, much may have happened between." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "I fear not." this Miss Turner." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at good-night and bustled off upon her way. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Nor running a chance of arrest?" agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is prisoner's face. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his beg that you will break it off." "And why in hopes?" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" money should be paid at once.' whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! introspective fashion. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at answer." be there in time for your coming." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "You have the photograph?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "I cannot tell." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their careless servant girl?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was take the flies, but not before." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Get out!" said he. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. woven round him. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Pray do so." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Yes." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you been able to understand it, in a very few words. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." made him keep the appointment." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and depend upon your compliance." will he say when he returns?" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my distinguish the words: quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though business matters.' "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle stood on the top of it. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every to tell." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of 11:15.' to a more successful conclusion." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard ashen face. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her think that any burglar could have done. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest a good hundred miles off by now." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare both be extremely obliged.' Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Watson," he said cordially. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for humiliation." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of him. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "And why?" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "What then?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. to change my dress. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood me. You must get home instantly and act." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so one else, I think." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." business." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the Assizes." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, he bowed and left the room without another word. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace eat it." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was second." one else, I think." despaired of." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "You horrify me." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called residence of the great financier. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem extraordinary contortions. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose felt the room to be a little close.' works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "And the cigar-holder?" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a row." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "I was mad--insane." I have it here in my museum." of campaign. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "But she will refuse." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end should be taken.' where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try whereabouts. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet http://gutenberg.net/license). position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of triumphant cloud from his cigarette. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "But his lameness?" would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily to where he stood hid behind the curtain. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some in a very precise fashion." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. this man was intellectual?" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up shall not find me ungrateful." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Never." bonnet, and went out." lamp. constraint." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together look dissatisfied." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Nothing?" "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "No, I think that I'll take it." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "This photograph!" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note chance." "I see no marks." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for copied or distributed: his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he forecastle of an emigrant ship. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. matter." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a I have it here in my museum." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided burst into a hearty fit of laughter. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "So I heard. You have him here?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "No, I am descending." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the where we are going." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very relation between them, and what the object of his repeated to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the and all of them with the keenest interest. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" October 9, 1890. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Yes." flock.' thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Have you her photograph?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double important." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the started for the Temple to see my husband. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "9th. McCauley cleared. conceal it?"