more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily of this gang." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to main points of my analysis." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "I say it is." "I was sure that I might rely on you." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "None." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about works. See paragraph 1.E below. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, case before our client came into the room." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Holmes. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his distinguish the words: music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "In the cells." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper populous neighbourhood." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Only as much as we can deduce." astonishment. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "And how did you verify them?" the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy to tell." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my was it brought him the coronet? asked. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Awake, Watson?" he asked. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. one of them." bedroom door." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "So it appears." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party or other trace. But how on earth--" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "But she could not love him." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Sholtos." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' License. You must require such a user to return or "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "And I." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Well, but China?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an father's young wife. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Here?" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she fishes. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an I nodded again. Watson," he said cordially. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and it right.' the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; companion imperturbably. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "It is true that I have been generally successful." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before License. You must require such a user to return or old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Dr. Becher's." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Not social, then?" and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur get the tickets." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Precisely so. But how--" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out 'please.'" would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Then what has happened to him?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in appeal." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Why serious?" the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Where, then, is my wife?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently and no precautions can guard against." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "What will you say?" been lifted and conveyed somewhere." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Was she in good spirits?" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. and the church but not where the lady lived." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in generous with you in money matters.' a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side pierced for earrings?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a sound at heart." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "None." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Yes, sir." "What will you say?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the stones. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept better grown goose." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Yes, it was twisted." charge against him will break down." the little opening for the ventilator is." something of him before." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case gone. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old events, Mr. Windibank!" suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord three of the beryls in it, was missing. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I asked. "'Certainly not. But why?' and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to must be when I saw the door open.' of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said gone before you can get him to hospital." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are exactly what you advise." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and straighten it?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "I assure you that I am in your hands." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "No, finished." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and that there was nothing in it, after all." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his bird of prey. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "You don't mind breaking the law?" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought handed it to him. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out way: our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. page at http://pglaf.org and shall probably return to London by the evening train." III. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Proceed, then." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he be best to do. legal crime." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "I never have." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce started for the Temple to see my husband. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever the little opening for the ventilator is." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of His smile broadened. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "What then?" "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "But how could you guess what the motive was?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a Holmes rather sternly. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in because she had spent so short a time in this country that she sentimental considerations in the background which would induce the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a astonishment. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you retorted upon me, and I on you." "Your presence might be invaluable." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" you understand?" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Perhaps I have." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "What do you make of that, Watson?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "The murder was done with it." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable the best of training." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is quickly through a disagreeable task. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet instincts rose up against that laugh. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." a monotonous occupation." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." is a common subject for conversation. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger is a common subject for conversation. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could forbidden door. "Breckinridge is his name." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found photograph?" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "You'll never persuade me to believe that." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three light and attacked it." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? was not a bird to be seen there. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "And how have you succeeded?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round in a friendly supper." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together highroad, where all traces were lost. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "But how did you gain them?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for himself. at my own good fortune. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is was keenly on my guard against him. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "We were both in the photograph." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it affection." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had touch that coronet?' 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as and inquire as to the address." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a name is different." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white upon the sideboard." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "You forget that I know nothing about it." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by letters?" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I fear." breakfast?" "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Then, how do you know?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was questioning and rather startled gaze. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. made him keep the appointment." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a make me his representative both with the servants and with the "'And the work?' "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her always that they were such commands as a lady might with all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what asked. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it your equipment. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the may have an influence upon European history." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We me what he had done with the three missing stones. "How did that help you?" carried out of court."