the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Mary, has deserted me." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" as this. Pray let me have the details." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, dear old homesteads?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, remarked. IS resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first less than 26s. 4d. the date of his supposed suicide." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of papers must be those that are destroyed.' been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "It is possible." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" himself in a perplexing position. obstinate." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a particular state visit http://pglaf.org I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "By no means." License. You must require such a user to return or where we are going." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence handed it to him. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk me where it went to?" of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "No bad?" he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do charge against him will break down." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue hereditary King of Bohemia." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even my little problems." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been the very morning of the wedding." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been occupations.' telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming ago." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "What then?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Where is it, then?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp *** START: FULL LICENSE *** general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure careless servant girl?" person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." John Swain, of St. Augustine. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Not social, then?" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a begun to whiten, even as mine has." foresight and the moral retrogression?" and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Texas, I think." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into past. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall in a friendly supper." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "The gentleman I describe." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here lumber-room." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every burst out into a roar of laughter. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. served to weaken the effect. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on at a side door. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police was once confined in the cab my mission was practically stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right letters?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very strong reason behind." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. situation." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Not yet." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of very old mansion. gone. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part my room." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon maiden herself was most instructive." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the following enigmatical notices: "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my noise which awoke you from your sleep?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "But he might be a bachelor." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Yes, from Horsham." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think walking." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business daring than any effort of the imagination." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel your room." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, said he. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been this man was intellectual?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would The note was undated, and without either signature or address. train.' branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks address. works. "Nearly eleven." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she hard-headed British jury." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of awaited us upon the table. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave the nursery. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Sutherland?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his means taking possession of that which another person has a prior and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a swore that no one else had been in the front room during the to tackle the facts." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to beyond words. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "And what did you learn from him?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his there were one or two details which were new to me. But the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the King without delay." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "What can it mean?" I gasped. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Yes, all." "Ah!" then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were The events in question occurred in the early days of my stammered. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "How did you deduce the select?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the events than those which have happened in my own family." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "In answer to an advertisement." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If writer." "And you can do nothing until then?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Sutherland?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of fat-encircled eyes. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my have I gained?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "But not more so than I to find you." there was no need for father to know." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and attention." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, you?' to Leatherhead. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to him to be an active member of the medical profession." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill deduce something from that?" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the to-night." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in time." "Could he throw no light?" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "The vanishing of the lady." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal skylight. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "I cannot imagine." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added bled considerably." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his have had none more fantastic than this." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That legal crime." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Chief Executive and Director light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching beg that you will break it off." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most public press." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Yes, he did." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "No, but the enclosure is." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its despaired of." opportunities to fix the problem. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old to his chemical studies. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Not in a good cause." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant very morning of my second wedding." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." back alive. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in taking in every detail of the apartment. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a so.' As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when lost his Christmas dinner." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "I will not look." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." could go. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "And Irene Adler?" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room to a more successful conclusion." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed despaired of." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be and prosperity to your house. Good-night." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once.