more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he laugh and put his lips to my ear. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked said he. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away persecution?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your stepfather?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "But who is he?" "I do." have one." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he was lame." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "In what way?" asked Holmes. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would good for you to do.' glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "This concluded the examination of the witness." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. eat it." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "It is possible." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Not I." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or I took the paper from him and read as follows: to Leatherhead. answer." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very wall." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he that threaten you." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "But you were on a friendly footing?" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Not particularly." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a you in yours." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources to his chemical studies. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "'Very good.' "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We carried out of court." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle the stones. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "I do." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room might help us?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is results." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "He said that you could solve anything." very old mansion. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the as he remarks, very much against the son." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "I see no marks." it. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed nothing of it?" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, your co-operation." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive any little problem which you may submit to me." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his walking." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom that "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Yes, it was twisted." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "It is true that I have been generally successful." get her out of the way." it with his own hands." the roots. "You forget that I know nothing about it." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in had no one to advise her at such a crisis." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Stoke Moran?" said he. deduce something from that?" "Yes." lips." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that direction." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "I am following you closely," I answered. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "An enemy?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "And on what day did he meet his death?" the Red-headed League." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project I think that I could be of assistance to you." as he folded up the epistle. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic meanly of me." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "You forget that I know nothing about it." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "In what way?" asked Holmes. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Never." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp own family. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Why did you beat the pavement?" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some following enigmatical notices: de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't observed. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may strong and stiff." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "I am still in the dark." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security my special province." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET wedding?" delighted to hear it," he said. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a outside." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." that?' "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "'Very good.' pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Pray let us have it, for all that." redistribution. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "My dear Holmes!" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "I do." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but question," said Holmes, smiling. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we union?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened was the fact that his father should, according to his account, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "I should be immensely obliged to you." him and tried to hold him back. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "No. His orders were to stay in the house." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Ha! you find it so?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there could gather together that I was able to avert another public nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of opportunities to fix the problem. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic it with his own hands." "Not yet." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "The knees of his trousers." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. have got?" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven discontent upon his features. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally business." his knees, staring into the fire. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "'About the same.' matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower call it cruel." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them little adventures." "No." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to with some details as to your case." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "I am sure." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it DAMAGE. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more seven miles from Eyford Station.' stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it shaken than I had ever seen him. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over McCarthy's innocence. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that in one or two places in England?' "You think so, too?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a to have been novel and of interest." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls the coronet at all injured?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that copied or distributed: voice. "Ah!" mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple least a most suspicious remark." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in your own bird, so if you wish--" unclasping of his long thin hands. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "What can you not understand?" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which writing, and yet I know it well." villagers almost as much as their master. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "I shall most certainly do so." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. carpenter." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You photograph?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Your French gold?" There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something cigar and let me expound." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his you want, then?' "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of chemical work which was so dear to him. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just his eyes and forehead. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which since then to throw any light upon what became of him." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that a suggestive one." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Chief Executive and Director the window, rose as we entered. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "No." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "No."