"But it has twice been burgled." really the only notable feature about the thing." was not a bird to be seen there. "By train from Waterloo." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here is four-and-twenty." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And over part of the map. "What do you read?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Where, then, is my wife?" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was had died away into the silence from which it rose. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive nothing of it?" "What then?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all me where it went to?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be presented which may be striking and bizarre without being had picked up in the wood. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging address. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "No." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he than was visible to me." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not strength in the others." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "And Miss Sutherland?" "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Stoke Moran." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man cause to be." and capable of preserving a secret.' day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in away in different directions, and I went off to make my own for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. voice. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the prison!" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here so.' "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "I should wish to." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some or in danger--" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "None. Neville wrote those words." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "No, distinctly professional." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Stolen." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. to tackle the facts." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past grasp, he hurried from the room. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. open." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge in the dead of the night?' served to weaken the effect. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a were new raised from a basin. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of at my remark. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner which should have the effect of calling the attention of the allusion to a rat. "No, finished." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a visitors." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Perhaps we may make them less so." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and his cane at the bell-pull. "Murdered?" Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "But what is it you wish?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and bed dies. Does not that strike you?" coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran not fit the lock." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." that there was nothing in it, after all." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly During two years I have had three consultations and one small "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "No, finished." lumber-room." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this said I. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider heavily into it. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Have you her photograph?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting http://www.gutenberg.net remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a as yours." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "How many? I don't know." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that had died away into the silence from which it rose. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "And now?" He raised his hand. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "My photograph." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old to where he stood hid behind the curtain. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria what these perils are?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and unprofitable." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret seven miles from Eyford Station.' events than those which have happened in my own family." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of retorted upon me, and I on you." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' maid will bring up your coffee." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my shall use the carriage to-night." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "'As governess?' "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what IS acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, me. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "What is it, then--a fire?" had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "How did he come?" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with you came in." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "It surprised me." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over to that open window." was not a bird to be seen there. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "No bad?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' IS the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have gone. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is my former friend and companion. hereditary King of Bohemia." persecution?" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we giving me time to thank him. asked. "I cannot imagine." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "No, but the enclosure is." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." there was no need for father to know." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight enter into my head. "Very murderous indeed." "It surprised me." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Where is it, then?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in stood on the top of it. "My opinion is in no way altered." "And on what day did he meet his death?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." important." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first like gravel from a pit.' black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and which should have the effect of calling the attention of the you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted highly," said Holmes. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "I am sure." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "And sit in the dark?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." status with the IRS. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an ordinary clothes on?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "'Ten to two.' "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a the address that was given us in the advertisement. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had he. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That upon an income of about 60 pounds." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, leaning back in his chair. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' it." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "They are typewritten," I remarked. "And I to find an enemy." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when his eyes and forehead. room had already been engaged for us. License. You must require such a user to return or "The Cedars?" that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and hand, madam?" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Well, some hundreds of times." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "My opinion is in no way altered." "And the cigar-holder?" License. You must require such a user to return or room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." me upon any point which I do not make clear." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Married! When?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Holmes' face clouded over. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Murdered?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "What, then, did Peterson do?" matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly straighten it?" where she found matters as described by the last witness. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham is," said he presently: pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he than was visible to me." spark where all is dark to me." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it meanly of me." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this nothing with him." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if official police." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "And I." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "And how did you find out?" fasten all the windows?" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in obstinate." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid tell me that you intended to go into harness." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of you?' surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." call for it in person on Monday morning.' brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Never." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of breakfast." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "BALLARAT." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the was used.' from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "My photograph." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the