hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "I saw her in conversation with her maid." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. which it had come upon my father." the running down." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Did you become engaged then?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to served to weaken the effect. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a and the colonel ushered me in. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you child?' see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I have solved it." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "When did it break out?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it husband's writing, madam." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about help us in this matter." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way true." about here speaks of his kindness to him." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and round and wave him away like that.' it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several guilty one." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Only as much as we can deduce." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Yes." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I to-night?' swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become to-night." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, putting in the horse. a room. behind me. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, from the brougham. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an fasten all the windows?" this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of yet." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed your billet.' for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. will not take me long to tell. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Surrey." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and this as likely?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice photograph?" your billet.' third from London." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at down from London to inquire more deeply into it." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "In heaven's name, what for?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Eyford at 11:15.' "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go any little problem which you may submit to me." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate to surprise her." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "We have tried and failed." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, weighed down with some great anxiety. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that look upon these things in a different way." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers one of them." "Thank you. Pray proceed." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "I have my revolver," said I. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE matters immensely." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Where did you address your letters, then?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the fuss that is made over them." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." to take care of herself." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and fishes. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, hopeless attempt at recovering them." more solid." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been charged with?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the II. followed. "Nothing?" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the as this. Pray let me have the details." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a infinite languor in his face. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to down in his armchair and closing his eyes. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the laugh and put his lips to my ear. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "I shall most certainly do so." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, leave you to your papers for a little." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' companion. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "You have carte blanche." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Then, how do you know?" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any derbies." the ceiling. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "But you were on a friendly footing?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "What I expected to see." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "'Stolen!' he cried. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "You heard nothing yourself last night?" Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If it with his own hands." respectable self." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Certainly, madam." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be companion imperturbably. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "What then?" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "I am to be neutral?" said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Ah!" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I away in different directions, and I went off to make my own might have a private word with us. "And how did you find out?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." fattened it expressly for you.' Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. very morning of my second wedding." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause British peeress.'" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, heavily into it. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front even of instruction." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no himself to tell his story. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took written. in one or two places in England?' one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Was there a secret marriage?" people don't know." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. again before evening." "'There is a drive, then?' the coronet in his hands?" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "No." narrative." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to clanging. second window is the one that I jumped from." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears some water from a caraffe. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "The Coroner: What do you mean? does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, to a light-house. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might any." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send front of the hall door has given its name to the place. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, away in different directions, and I went off to make my own to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "No." call for it in person on Monday morning.' could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with tied." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Yes, sir." "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Yes." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Nearly eleven." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Her father is very rich?" "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "It missed him, then?" 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of me. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special in my life." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might of his shoulders. arrested. You then--" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Perhaps we may make them less so." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might appeal." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "I will get her to show me." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "My dear Holmes!" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came ready to-morrow?' and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything to me. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who better in every way that they should make their position a little on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a point in the dark hollow of his hand. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and stalked out of the room. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "'Yes, it was gone.' it." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "It is his hat." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, village inn over there?" "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is shall use the carriage to-night." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room.