"I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of it." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my it." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after pound a week." disturbance in my wife." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered think that he is innocent?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "And Irene Adler?" used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which I took the paper from him and read as follows: which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the eat it." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. my room." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set to tell." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Have you good authority for what you say?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Holmes rather sternly. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "And leave your case unfinished?" manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue cigars in the box." "Yes." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been know that the truth is known." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." night.' said he. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "He said that you could solve anything." in his power. "'Very good.' villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Only as much as we can deduce." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" nights." minor matters until to-morrow." window when the police appeared." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what prepare for the new role I have to play." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am your Highness to the police-station?" "I cannot imagine." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "My photograph." approach us with offers to donate. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Ample." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "What then?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "My dear Holmes!" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts manager. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "And now?" He raised his hand. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to tassel actually lying upon the pillow. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt posted to-day." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to a good hundred miles off by now." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission answer." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the sooner or later she must fall a victim. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in light and attacked it." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, suddenly upon us." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical wanted for ourselves." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. deduce something from that?" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Who was the criminal, then?" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "I cannot imagine." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "But she will refuse." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Certainly." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had noting anything else of interest. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were with you alone." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "You horrify me!" my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his me. You must get home instantly and act." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, coroner's jury." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was 11:15.' he died? the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a http://gutenberg.net/license). had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside you do it in twenty minutes!' ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend presume?" been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "By no means." "My dear Holmes!" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "You know me, then?" started for the Temple to see my husband. certainly do as you advise." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "No." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed as yours." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Countess of Morcar's?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right served to weaken the effect. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "I would pay ten." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four I approached. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses these bleak autumnal evenings." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the the south-west, I see." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of keep the flames under. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this if only as a check to my own memory." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "About a month then." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my conversation I have gathered that they have been married about once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me with you alone." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "That is not always so easy." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an such attractions and accomplishments?' maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "But his left-handedness." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, undoubtedly my uncle's." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Yes, that is the Crown." must be when I saw the door open.' not fit the lock." it." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned situation." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which indiscretion." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." bare slabs of marble. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which empty. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "'Very good.' some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, back alive. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided three of the beryls in it, was missing. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." awkward doing business with an alias." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which the Friday. Was it to be in church?" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided forehead. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "You horrify me." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is danger is over." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if one of the states of the Union." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Certainly." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the question. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a horse could go." went to the Alpha were town bred." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Yes, it was twisted." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "'As governess?' asked. whereabouts. and a shock of very red hair. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: coat-tails." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally young Openshaw's." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers strode off upon his way. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for to a more successful conclusion." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we use an arc-and-compass breastpin." and the church but not where the lady lived." "Yes, he did." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of man. "I should be immensely obliged to you." that he will be back before evening." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Nothing." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which to tackle the facts." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left feature." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened photograph?" would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "How many? I don't know." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the window when the police appeared." sparkled upon his finger. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper to talk it over. entirely lost his self-respect." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "I fear not." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "But it has twice been burgled." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on do.' "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking cigars in the box." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we round and wave him away like that.' elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a to-night?" I asked. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my bare slabs of marble. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "And is that all?" "A greater distance to travel." hour." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his he. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and strength." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "And why in hopes?" daring than any effort of the imagination." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that house for five minutes.' copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, points to suicide?" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "'I have already given you my word.' at my remark. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the burst out into a roar of laughter. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Witness: It was. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security 'please.'" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Is he quiet?" all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just it." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "I say that I have solved it." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers delirious. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could footfalls from the street. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Dirty?" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the John Swain, of St. Augustine. "And your mother is alive?" had this final quarrel? "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the bottom.' Chief Executive and Director not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his