have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he there in twenty minutes." "Nothing." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the here." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced simple cases which are so extremely difficult." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "I am sure." this unhappy family?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless McCarthy." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I quickly through a disagreeable task. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Yes." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. Countess of Morcar's?" would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Never." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive unprecedented a position." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the business at Coburg Square is serious." said he. residence of the great financier. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know You can understand that this register and diary may implicate copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Nothing." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "'It is locked up,' I answered. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The soul! here is her carriage at the door." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be cause to be." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "By all means." more terrible than the truth. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one the best of training." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set astonishment. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, For additional contact information: newspaper selections." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I ago." "Bought." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the yards of it?' "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "But of what society?" often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "I would pay ten." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all exactly what you advise." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, footfalls from the street. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague chemical work which was so dear to him. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was American. Then who could this American be, and why should he dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side do." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Very murderous indeed." works. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his other means.' the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached little adventures." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "My stepfather's business papers." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her suspect him." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to 'please.'" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was several quiet little villages up there." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, the inner apartment." "My stepfather's business papers." tension within him. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, indiscretion." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Young McCarthy must be got off, however." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them showing my impatience. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, my special province." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "And Irene Adler?" "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt not come at once?" appeal." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, to affect your life." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to cost them two and thirty pounds." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The details." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "On your arm?" should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "'Is 4 pounds a week.' passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the present." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with miles off. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his straighten it?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "That also I could fathom." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "But the mystery?" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close the driver. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the lamp. "She showed me, as I told you she would." them, and came down just as you departed. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "On Monday." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "The best possible." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable placed his cuttings. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Why serious?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against singular points about the case. What did the police think of the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Has he come with you to-night?" "You are all wrong." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "By train from Waterloo." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "I should wish to." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "You have it, sir, just as it happened." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "'What would be the hours?' I asked. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "And the cigar-holder?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between certainly do as you advise." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my that threaten you." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the in. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining bachelor.' "Yes." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "That's no good." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt the coronet at all injured?" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared was the fact that his father should, according to his account, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally you in yours." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "My opinion is in no way altered." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a face and glided from the room. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the be best to do. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It memory. hair?' unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the bottom.' "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a friends, not even his own brother. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "And Irene Adler?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." John Swain, of St. Augustine. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Where did he live, then?" "To an English lawyer named Norton." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, your room." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "In which, sir?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced details should find their way into the papers. Inspector she to prove their authenticity?" than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" the matter?" desk. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin 11:15.' opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate nothing of it?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "You horrify me." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Nothing?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew Surrey." London for the present?" pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Why did you pick him?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "You don't mind breaking the law?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "And how did you find out?" "Stoke Moran?" said he. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "That is unusual in a young girl." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, tapping his fingers upon the table. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of the stable lane now." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Ah!" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my chair. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "That was it, sir." disturbance in my wife." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, fait accompli?" colour had been driven from his face. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Never." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity felt the room to be a little close.' "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, said he. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his my little problems." "He is still with you, I presume?" "It surprised me." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the very morning of the wedding." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs and wait." "You have a clue?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind think that he is innocent?"