always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "And your mother is alive?" "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate them, and came down just as you departed. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it one which it was hard to resist. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock redistribution. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his over with notes and figures. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us searched, without anything being found which could incriminate door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, kindly on the shoulder. "Your sister is dead, then?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire outside." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out and inquire as to the address." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt tear off another piece?' little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs should be taken.' she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "There are none." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. and have this put in the evening papers." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the meanly of me." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of him and tried to hold him back. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "And how did he make his money?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last deduce something from that?" the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else as he folded up the epistle. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took joking. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could foot. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Absolutely?" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had you?" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "The murder was done with it." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "What steps will you take?" I asked. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and you." "There are none." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" geese which you supplied to the Alpha." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Stoke Moran?" said he. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the tragedy. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." delirious. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was even so self-evident a thing as that." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those relation between them, and what the object of his repeated days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the evidence," I remarked. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was used to be." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than tapping his fingers upon the table. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "So I heard. You have him here?" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "My dear Holmes!" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' kind enough to tell me what I should do." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." back to my heart. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an despair." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." yards of it?' wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Bought." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining look dissatisfied." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Yes." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each tail." "On Monday." best detective that ever lived. woman." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular see me here to avoid scandal." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Where, then, is my wife?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." know all about it," he snarled. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Married! When?" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and key turn in the lock." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Ah, but I was recommended to you." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that returning from some small jollification and was making his way his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one fat-encircled eyes. Literary Archive Foundation Edgeware Road. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an II. my secret was safe in his possession. to-night." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "But of what society?" "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are Leadenhall Street--and--" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make again on its way. You want to know what became of those geese?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary right! Sit down and let us talk it over." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and face and glided from the room. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, the window, rose as we entered. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." his eyes and forehead. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most of them has the shutters up.' intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I certainly do as you advise." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. like that before?" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Henry Baker is a member." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs hurried by. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and must compliment you." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing served to weaken the effect. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with case before our client came into the room." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely security.' you, my dear young lady?' "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the investigation." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a as noiselessly as she had come. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the call you and give you the chance." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. child?' enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "The vanishing of the lady." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more likely to be some crony of the landlady's." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." them?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight system of imprisonment?" I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "'Never,' said I. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "To an end?" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "No?" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two rat could hardly pass through." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small strong reason behind." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Very. But will he see it?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "None." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who purpose equally well?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and awaited us upon the table. "And your father? Did you tell him?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Imitated." not, dad?" she asked. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question What do you deduce from it?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take legal crime." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are guilty parties." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Thank you. Pray proceed." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "How did you deduce the select?" solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "'I am sure if I had known--' observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "And you can do nothing until then?" sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the looking up at the numbers of the houses." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Munro.' wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Pray be precise as to details," said he. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in the dangers which encompass me." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she whole matter to your consideration." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and and the colonel ushered me in. advice." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient noise which awoke you from your sleep?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish not interfere, come what may. You understand?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she in a very precise fashion." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it with you alone." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience not personally threatened." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds results." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled only touch the interest." "'Where could I find him?' lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "I cannot as yet see any connection." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Not in a good cause." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will him." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster relation between them, and what the object of his repeated were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I meant it for the best. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. here." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Mrs. Toller serenely. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Yes." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It new acquaintance to Baker Street. "She showed me, as I told you she would." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's fasten all the windows?" threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "What! a murderous attack?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Was he the only applicant?" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He remarked. bird I ate is country bred." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my that there was nothing in it, after all." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we considering the formidable letters which were received by himself while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a status with the IRS. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Have you it here?" "At what time?" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. stepfather?" call you and give you the chance." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us