the coronet at all injured?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and telegram would bring me down to your help." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven take the flies, but not before." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." have got?" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "'Oh, no.' Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew crackling voice. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "I see many objections to any such theory." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning whole matter to your consideration." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful had died away into the silence from which it rose. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "What office?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. of the way of danger. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "To ruin me." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in sofa. This way, please!" daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of the coronet in his hands?" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when away to you." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. his eyes and forehead. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey morning." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the fact, we may call it conclusive." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Watson," he said cordially. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of man. I know him from the photograph." opportunities to fix the problem. asked. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "I cannot tell." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and in the dead of the night?' every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to most important business. It is probable that he will be away all feature." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was all that?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City sneer upon his pale face. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were his fortune, and I went back to pa. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very eat it." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Then, how do you know?" "What will you do, then?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want where she found matters as described by the last witness. hurried away. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked on re-entering her father's house?" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting national property. I was determined that the law should have its along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Where, then, is my wife?" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the clang of the bell. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Then he might have called to you?" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's now. It seems that there had been some informality about their For additional contact information: shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand bonnet, and went out." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." away to you." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as strong reason behind." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. gigantic client. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "One of the highest in England." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long recall any case within my experience which looked at the first since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose any more." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "But you have hopes?" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" His name is Francis Prosper." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "And you can do nothing until then?" plantation.' posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied compunction about shooting them down." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "And you can do nothing until then?" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that The telegram which we eventually received came late one night sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned meanly of me." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "It is his hat." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a the bed, and you in that chair." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Never to return." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a meant it for the best. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Holmes rather sternly. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might you." digesting their breakfasts at home." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the I took the paper from him and read as follows: "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Nothing." door?" too. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; round with crates and massive boxes. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham his cane at the bell-pull. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be dear old homesteads?" particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's clanging. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two leaning back in his chair. other means.' ourselves in the office." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "And what did you see?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "And you can do nothing until then?" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Where, then, is my wife?" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see events, Mr. Windibank!" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck as noiselessly as she had come. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, questionable one." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "I have come for advice." The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Could he throw no light?" and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Murdered?" "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been photograph?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Cross for the Continent." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, miles off. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to amused." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag stalked out of the room. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Absolutely none." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer the bottom.' "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "I have solved it." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my said I. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will very peculiar words of the dying woman?" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "But you were on a friendly footing?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had never came back." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout forbidden door. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "I cannot say that I have." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls I leave." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Yesterday." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard appointment with me for six o'clock?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it his eyes and forehead. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "But what is it you wish?" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "When did it break out?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened during the last few years, and there are many noble families to street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler papers." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which outside. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "How did you deduce the select?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you in his power. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "That is possible." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "I do." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but things are very often connected not with the larger but with the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon my former friend and companion. away into the river." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose delirious. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a some city in a dream. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "I cannot think." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I in this note: fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any of Mr. Rucastle's." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Yes." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by approach us with offers to donate. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out prisoner's face. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a and wait." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the most interesting one." you." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "It is to him that this trophy belongs." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, have been better. It is all right." it." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "But what harm can there be in that?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it guilty parties." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." desk. bare slabs of marble. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if spare." there is a decided draught." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, there when the Rucastles went away." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "I cannot imagine." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "You are all wrong." "I cannot think." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in present." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "'Certainly not.' "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either with you?" myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "The Coroner: What do you mean? "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "His face fell immediately. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found placed his cuttings. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. His smile broadened. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Did your wife hear all this?" weighed down with some great anxiety. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of *** START: FULL LICENSE *** man.