"And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Dirty?" daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the against a man in the prime of life?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A second window is the one that I jumped from." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his wedding?" boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the License. You must require such a user to return or conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "That is possible." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of morning." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "And when will you call?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Has he come with you to-night?" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, the stones. answered with a sidelong glance. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I south, for the country is more deserted there." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you went to the Alpha were town bred." garden below. bonnet, and went out." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "It was an hour's good drive." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "I fear not." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of him to be an active member of the medical profession." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Perfectly so." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet the loss of it. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the said he at last. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "I should like to see him very much." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Holmes' room. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask door?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw drawing your inferences." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to think that any burglar could have done. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "When did she vanish, then?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of cup of tea. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "You think so, too?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Pool. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "To ruin me." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. like that before?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "No." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. other lovers by making love himself." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "'As governess?' sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, village inn over there?" word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of views." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have upon the sideboard." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Why, it's a dummy," said he. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a little adventures." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up husband's writing, madam." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the Farm upon the left." Countess of Morcar's?" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at comes from the middle window." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see and laid it on the table. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the one of them." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he four million human beings all jostling each other within the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited window when the police appeared." must be when I saw the door open.' and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have him and tried to hold him back. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would this man was intellectual?" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Yes." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "How long did she speak to this Alice?" near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; time." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "My photograph." down. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Nearly eleven." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a bears upon the case?" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I country, and eventually married, without anyone having a pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get ready to-morrow?' weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "A greater distance to travel." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" man. I know him from the photograph." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped there is a decided draught." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "'You cannot say what it was?' "They are typewritten," I remarked. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save it." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never all-comprehensive glances. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he this truth that in these little records of our cases which you against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." charge against him will break down." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Pool. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "But the mystery?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "And I say east," said my patient. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the main points of my analysis." union?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and which it had come upon my father." "My dear Holmes!" to have been novel and of interest." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." had this final quarrel? anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "I say that I have solved it." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger dates and names. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed indiscretion." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is salesman. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "The rest you will leave in our hands." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Literary Archive Foundation he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez secret." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to States. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "'And the work?' James Windibank. Voilà tout!" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "How on earth--" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it approach us with offers to donate. him, that man would not have given me such complete information and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a little adventures." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your as he folded up the epistle. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Where to?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My your bag." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to name is different." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they lumber-room." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Nor running a chance of arrest?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just like gravel from a pit.' It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "So I am. Very much so." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold your sleep?' that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by the one as in the other." even of instruction." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the power." murdered man." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts which was all perfectly true. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "None." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Not particularly." morning." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp that you can jump it.' were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Did you observe the colour?" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father question. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Which are?" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted stood on the top of it. shall not find me ungrateful." tail." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and of them has the shutters up.' upon an income of about 60 pounds." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were out." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "'I have heard so.' him. me. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "At the wedding breakfast." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the that I can to serve you." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable to have been novel and of interest." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was noting anything else of interest. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite