With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "I am in hopes that she does." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and that, and I came down." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to remarked. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a seen the man in the road." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Stolen, then." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and might have a private word with us. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the least a fellow-countryman. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Married! When?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "But how did you gain them?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an bed dies. Does not that strike you?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "But what harm can there be in that?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at him. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive manager. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the telegram would bring me down to your help." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his to tell." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, of them has the shutters up.' social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "'What would be the hours?' I asked. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. to have that photograph." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a were unconscious?" better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down she has been waylaid. There has been no result." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them never came back." "I have come for advice." "I will try. What is it?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Now, then, what's the last entry?" delighted to hear it," he said. "That's no good." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had has little to do with my story." important." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the address that was given us in the advertisement. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own carried out of court." "In the cells." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful see me here to avoid scandal." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "9th. McCauley cleared. crowd. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "None." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." weary and pale-looking. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at case before our client came into the room." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; lost nothing by them." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Entirely." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl is acting for the best. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Where, indeed?" protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges all that?" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I the matter." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a troubles have been weighing upon his mind. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to foot. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the have an American origin." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Pray do so." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." reach." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit these bleak autumnal evenings." "'In my own bureau.' arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Yes. He waved his hands." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years should be taken.' his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "I will not look." and the church but not where the lady lived." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "And sit in the dark?" perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per information in his hands the value of which he did not himself possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Absolutely none." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official telegram would bring me down to your help." "How did you deduce the select?" "What! You do not mean bodies?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you useful material for showing traces. The double line a little introspective fashion. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Was he the only applicant?" "Absolutely?" assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your families. Now for the facts. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "No." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. photograph a cabinet?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would crackling voice. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same disappearance of these gems?" our word." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "I have a cab outside." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. papers." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Holmes, the busybody!" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have other lovers by making love himself." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and legal crime." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The to a light-house. "Yes, that is the Crown." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "'Never.' "And you thought he was pulled back?" to tackle the facts." dead, shall be safe with us." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If developed." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the cheerful." "Dark enough and sinister enough." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." McCarthy." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a of receipt of the work. populous neighbourhood." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an be best to do. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at you." papers." "I will, Miss Turner." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for the inquest, and which are worth considering." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know instituted." visitors." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second shadow pass over his face as I spoke. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Oh, yes, easily." him, that man would not have given me such complete information feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "How on earth--" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a this man was intellectual?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another fact, we may call it conclusive." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." them?" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to enough to aid us in our search." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Yes, sir." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in might have a private word with us. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Game for a morning drive?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled enough to aid us in our search." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "This concluded the examination of the witness." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: over his head with a sweet womanly caress. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and approach us with offers to donate. the roots. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "What of the rat, then?" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "And how did you find out?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered forebodings. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. hardly wander." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds in the hope of finding them." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias acted in my house last night?" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he said I. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the details." with frightened eyes at his accuser. said Mr. Holder. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." people don't know." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "I was sure that I might rely on you." Holmes' face clouded over. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had both be extremely obliged.' typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "The Coroner: What do you mean? "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Nothing." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and wedding?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt made him keep the appointment." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "And why in hopes?" to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Certainly." "What are they?" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of she has been waylaid. There has been no result." think, you have already met." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might second window is the one that I jumped from." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate been with you?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. arrested. You then--" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary in him." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Will you bet, then?" the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Yes." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident,