been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Precisely." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "But how could you guess what the motive was?" unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily with her." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in one which it was hard to resist. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." detained." said he. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Certainly, madam." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Then you may be so with me." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "You have carte blanche." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to ready to-morrow?' to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is minor matters until to-morrow." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could I nodded again. Eyford." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" fashion which was peculiar to him. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife country, and eventually married, without anyone having a in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. the house with me." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to this man was intellectual?" to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. noting anything else of interest. with you?" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a me. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Stolen." is now desirous of getting those letters back." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Not social, then?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, to have been novel and of interest." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "No, distinctly professional." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Eh? What was that?" "Yes, that is the Crown." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the acquaintance?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back seen the man in the road." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." you in yours." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "'Very good.' soul! here is her carriage at the door." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." clang of the bell. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it the Red-headed League." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. of this gang." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "You were travelling in the States?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "None." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite to affect your life." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade awaited us upon the table. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my fire. You quite follow me?" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms him." "Perhaps I have." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "I guessed as much." "My private note-paper." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "And how in the world did you find them?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be it? Did I buy the geese off you?" there when the Rucastles went away." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. head. So long, then!" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is mysterious end." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to during that time.' At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "But who is he?" whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's morning." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to bachelor.' "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Then, as to money?" do.' Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. which are rolled in Rotterdam." like that before?" rat could hardly pass through." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge presume?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily dates and names. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear astonishment. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy clang of the bell. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "What will you do, then?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "So I have heard." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By breakfast?" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "'Never,' said I. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. indiscretion." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the people in all walks of life. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated Sutherland. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "'Certainly not. But why?' and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means locked." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two back to my heart. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no of Mr. Rucastle's." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Serpentine Avenue. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her imbecility!" he cried. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his forehead. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that you came in." appointment with me for six o'clock?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very telegram would bring me down to your help." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the congratulate you again." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Pope's Court. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our sound at heart." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Did your wife hear all this?" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, giving me time to thank him. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might This is what he says: "Game for a morning drive?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "At half-wages, in fact." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "But what is it you wish?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and indeed which he could not unravel. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Then I shall certainly come." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "You have it, sir, just as it happened." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand the matter." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to look dissatisfied." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "What shall I do?" "A call for help, you thought?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "No, finished." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during side. "'Yes.' stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "What, then?" some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Was he the only applicant?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he into the bag, and made for the door. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "It missed him, then?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Certainly." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Pray do so." to me. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no of fine shops and stately business premises that they really thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An coroner's jury." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "It surprised me." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in head. So long, then!" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons main points of my analysis." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "'Quite sure, dad.' as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Then what has happened to him?" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting empty. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by the salesman. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the these bleak autumnal evenings." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "And how did you find out?" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of what do you think they found in the pockets?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "I have my revolver," said I. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "And what did you learn from him?" "I will get her to show me." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan My friend smiled. excitement. despair." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Where, then?" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "What is it?" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. of the vacancies.' you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies into the bag, and made for the door. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "What shall I do?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough during which he might have communicated with his friend the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Of what?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a