can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "The Cedars?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason the King without delay." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Yes." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his directors have had misgivings upon the subject." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in matter." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course then?" coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had name is different." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Yes." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such upon a handsome competence. Gutenberg-tm License. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "And how did you verify them?" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "And is that all?" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an her also." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "I cannot tell." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders the inner apartment." most interesting one." the roots. "Yes, from Horsham." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow nothing with him." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor James Windibank. Voilà tout!" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw there!' present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "My stepfather's business papers." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. awkward doing business with an alias." what these perils are?" "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle a very grave face. "'I shall certainly be there.' age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker stepfather?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "He disappeared so suddenly." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said locked." know all about it," he snarled. "I assure you that I am in your hands." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." brandy and water within his reach. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "No, finished." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "On Monday." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may geese which you supplied to the Alpha." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made morning." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "No, but the enclosure is." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "There are none." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my window when the police appeared." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My the little opening for the ventilator is." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own happened." "Then the page we have seen--" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "How many? I don't know." "So I heard. You have him here?" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of unprecedented a position." again before evening." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Yes, that is the Crown." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three child?' "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "The murder was done with it." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by again." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not advice." child?' leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." furiously. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further within hail.' "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. been with you?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "I am sure." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "So I have heard." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the held up the lantern and gazed about him. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Get out!" said he. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do entirely devoid of interest." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Of what?" "Stolen, then." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I will be renamed. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past enter into my head. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while as noiselessly as she had come. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the what is your own theory as to what took place?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "We have tried and failed." a suggestive one." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Never." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your have been better. It is all right." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "I shall be delighted." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "He slept on the premises." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong an introduction to him?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down I nodded to show that I had heard. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we cost them two and thirty pounds." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, emerged. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must you." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "What is it, then--a fire?" to surprise her." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently whole matter to your consideration." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "What steps will you take?" I asked. careless servant girl?" the inner apartment." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "And why?" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Certainly, madam." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Yes." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Really! You surprise me." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in something of him before." fat-encircled eyes. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "You saw the ventilator, too?" "'I have heard so.' understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "So I have heard." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. me." Street. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." directly by questioning you." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we peculiar to him. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "In San Francisco, a year ago." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Entirely." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin the one as in the other." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; for the market.' there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an the dangers which encompass me." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came footfalls from the street. "'And what salary do you ask?' out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Yes." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I I nodded to show that I had heard. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Bought." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but man. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously how narrow had been my escape. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last as this. Pray let me have the details." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror some city in a dream. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "And I." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head papers must be those that are destroyed.' place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. you understand?" while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "In answer to an advertisement." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my orange pips. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I it means?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." letters?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at help us in this matter." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis within hail.' She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly matter over." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "It was." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Always." said I. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed in one or two places in England?' "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the one which it was hard to resist. thin legs towards the fire. even so self-evident a thing as that." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage in the port of London." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "He might." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Doctor, of the paper and the date." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." both be extremely obliged.' wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have presented more singular features than that which was associated a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons it." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET chemical work which was so dear to him. shall use the carriage to-night." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Certainly, madam." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "'In my own bureau.' "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "I cannot imagine." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "'Never,' said I. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes directors have had misgivings upon the subject." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in as he remarks, very much against the son." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there thin legs towards the fire. garden below. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the