brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." key of the affair now." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed digesting their breakfasts at home." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back mysterious end." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned a room. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "In answer to an advertisement." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it power." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the next day. "Did you become engaged then?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those highly," said Holmes. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, if only as a check to my own memory." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and daring than any effort of the imagination." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such experiences." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." forebodings. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look we went to search for him, face downward in a little this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant tightly behind him. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "I cannot say that I have." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten never came back." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "But your client--" The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no he. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my go from here to the Strand." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "The gentleman I describe." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." the bed, and you in that chair." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great fattened it expressly for you.' "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there father's place of business?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "How did you trace it, then?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. fishes. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight sake, don't!" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "My photograph." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I chance at all." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "It is true that I have been generally successful." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke begin with, and I had not got mine yet." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other stalked out of the room. have been better. It is all right." clanging. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "I see no marks." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of of Fenchurch Street." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can sofa. This way, please!" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." I have it here in my museum." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "And Miss Sutherland?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Precisely so. But how--" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to to surprise her." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her works. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Holmes' thin, eager face. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "We have tried and failed." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must voice. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "And from a noble client?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "'No, I know no one in these parts.' sentimental considerations in the background which would induce he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Clair, of Lee." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have garden below. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is now. It seems that there had been some informality about their light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with which should have the effect of calling the attention of the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony seem to you to be relevant or not." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet about here speaks of his kindness to him." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "When did she vanish, then?" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy lips." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the she used." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional hurried by. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike key turn in the lock." shoulder. "What then?" a room. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "We must sit without light. He would see it through the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the of your young ladies.' room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre himself in a perplexing position. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in call the police, let the police find what they can.' a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two and prosperity to your house. Good-night." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never individual and becomes the badge of a society." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a that Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of of note-paper. It read in this fashion: it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, interest. They are important, you understand, without being been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had three of the beryls in it, was missing. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt with frightened eyes at his accuser. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "To an English lawyer named Norton." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you all?" ventilator." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of matter." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the little opening for the ventilator is." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Yes." "What do you make of that, Watson?" quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing in one or two places in England?' "Well, it is a possible supposition." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold shaken than I had ever seen him. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "By all means." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "None. Neville wrote those words." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and chambers. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." his forehead." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the careless servant girl?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right wife's character?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to had formerly been in part my own. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his meant." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "When did it break out?" for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "And you thought he was pulled back?" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, photograph?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "By all means." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the intrusion of other matters." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "I was certainly surprised to find you there." your most interesting statement." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "But you were on a friendly footing?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Holmes rather sternly. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you careless servant girl?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated morning." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "It came here." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, at home. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "I have come for advice." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "How often?" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I system of imprisonment?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "And help." "In which, sir?" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, the very morning of the wedding." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is You want to know what became of those geese?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about noting anything else of interest. third from London." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, amused." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of and have this put in the evening papers." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large not come at once?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with useful material for showing traces. The double line a little of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my security.' "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a she has been waylaid. There has been no result." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Was he the only applicant?" erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Dirty?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful matter." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so drove away. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the coronet in his hands?" Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Have you it here?" complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Yes." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and cost them two and thirty pounds." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to power." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now the armchair which I pushed forward for him. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be bird of prey. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an companion imperturbably. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little our word." there!' fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose