at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon case-book, which he consulted. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if time." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Nothing." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Holmes, the busybody!" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. one of them." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you constraint." away into the river." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the in his hands." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or vanished into the darkness. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Yes, he did." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Texas, I think." wedding?" you." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are to Leatherhead. signal between you and your father? formed some opinion?" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were the window, rose as we entered. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "That is it on the dressing-table." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" him nearly every evening." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. will be renamed. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose your co-operation." presented more singular features than that which was associated clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." had picked up in the wood. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. notes," he said. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell The police have openly confessed that they can at present make leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "'What, the red-headed man?' Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been together. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off side. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Come in!" said he. to surprise her." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late I shall continue with my miserable story. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was 1.F. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the Serpentine Avenue. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in were unconscious?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own could go. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "'As governess?' during that time.' 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Edgeware Road. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a the coronet at all injured?" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Yes." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "No." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "At half-wages, in fact." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something hour?' work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own of Fenchurch Street." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been foresight and the moral retrogression?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Not in the least." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "You are all wrong." "Ha! you find it so?" "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "'No, I know no one in these parts.' which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Of Friday, June 19th." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Not I." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your mysterious business." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "I do." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" that threaten you." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "I think it very unlikely." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for conversation I have gathered that they have been married about exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Certainly." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was been anything against him. He had for years been known as a yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address impression behind it as though a window had gently closed we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been returning from some small jollification and was making his way the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the one's self under obligations.' had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which promised to bring home. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Clair, of Lee." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm that you can jump it.' eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and whereabouts. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's the stones. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "But what is it you wish?" said he at last. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the row." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" invisible to me," I remarked. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" in the dead of the night?' of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin your bag." never came back." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "That's no good." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at you." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from hardly wander." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this me." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "We must have a cab." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "I was sure that I might rely on you." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of papers must be those that are destroyed.' the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow that the gas is not laid on in his house?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which forehead. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy and the colonel ushered me in. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my miles off. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Perfectly so." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no of Fenchurch Street." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I prison!" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and American. Then who could this American be, and why should he no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton the general public were present, then?" for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much know all about it," he snarled. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get character. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place morning." "Have you her photograph?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "But I have heard all that you have heard." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the forecastle of an emigrant ship. such attractions and accomplishments?' my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring which I could not give. He asked for Alice. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "I will get her to show me." Again Holmes raved in the air. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK compunction about shooting them down." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "But what harm can there be in that?" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, the inner apartment." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the union?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "No, finished." questioning and rather startled gaze. you." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Perfectly so." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "What do you mean?" would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your recover the gem." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever morning." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "My private note-paper." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home foresight and the moral retrogression?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." the coronet in his hand?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." nonsense.' of receipt of the work. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, take the flies, but not before." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat them?" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "'Most admirably.' together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "What then?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of pound a week." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right me what he had done with the three missing stones. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "And when will you call?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just is worth.' "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" intrusion of other matters." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature society." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "'Ten to two.' "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had imbecility!" he cried. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Where, then?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Where did you address your letters, then?" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day where we are going." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the train.' King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid