Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his and the church but not where the lady lived." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, we went to search for him, face downward in a little "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." as he folded up the epistle. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing fishes. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and public press." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if out." true." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my It may be so in this case, also." to some other building. "Only as much as we can deduce." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are during that time.' "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were said he. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face clanging. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered such person." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a charge against him will break down." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Of what day?" "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he himself. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said plantation.' matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days and no precautions can guard against." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to to have been novel and of interest." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a go from here to the Strand." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "'A dozen yards or so.' bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "'Then let me do so?' straightened it out again. "May I see it?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Yes." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "You have carte blanche." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You outbreak?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we his grey eyes. said I. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her photograph?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that narrative." "I came to find a friend." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. skylight. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed at my remark. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one conceal it?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which there has been an enclosure here!" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their swore that no one else had been in the front room during the a very grave face. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his know what is wrong with it.' bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in been shamefully used." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I have been better. It is all right." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands a little more before I quite committed myself. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. London for the present?" "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of of receipt of the work. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "You have a clue?" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Why, what do you mean?" "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan him, that man would not have given me such complete information it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more allusion to a rat. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's infinite languor in his face. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "'I am sure that I do not know.' brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. words came to my lips. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, was lame." companion. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." waste of energy." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is your co-operation." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you bearing upon the case." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a that before taking the final step I should like to submit the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can morning." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the excitement. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "I have seen the police." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle been anything against him. He had for years been known as a and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest his face which made him a very different person to the round, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "I shall be delighted." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to disappearance of the bride.'" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Where is it, then?" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Sutherland. mystery may be cleared along those lines." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one could not have written that. It is the German who is so at once, for I have only half an hour." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "'Entirely.' who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "May I see it?" gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened row." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to client, rising. "Then I do not see the point." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are against a man in the prime of life?" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for had no one to advise her at such a crisis." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" of the vacancies.' whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly man. roused himself from his reverie. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "But I am all in the dark." you?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "I cannot imagine." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. presented more singular features than that which was associated blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "I am in hopes that she does." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the question. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the was not a bird to be seen there. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "And how?" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Really! You surprise me." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. works. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Holmes, the busybody!" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be ventilator." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." any." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the very old mansion. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting thought that she would have been so carried away." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his sofa. This way, please!" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important you." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Perfectly so." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Then he might have called to you?" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project own family. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the said he. "And the murderer?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of affair. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Yes." the bed, and you in that chair." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "'Stolen!' he cried. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was guilty parties." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was she might be summoned. "Seven!" I answered. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and society." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "'Stolen!' he cried. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "'I am sure that I do not know.' complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "But she will refuse." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It said he. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "'And what are they worth?' I asked. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should begun to whiten, even as mine has." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. night.' said he. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very was once confined in the cab my mission was practically master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "'Then let me do so?' "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Murdered?" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly straightened it out again. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start examine." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the putting in the horse. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." it." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." used to be." "Do you go out much in society?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET the Red-headed League." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias in this way: struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by instincts rose up against that laugh. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary charged with?" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was chemical work which was so dear to him. think that he is innocent?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "She will not sell." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel this remarkable episode. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Not in the least." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The empty. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" written. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to in darkness. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander