Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the companion imperturbably. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it fat-encircled eyes. "I assure you that I am in your hands." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone had died away into the silence from which it rose. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of place of silver." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting as he folded up the epistle. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very which I could not give. He asked for Alice. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in placed his cuttings. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who questionable one." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" people don't know." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "They are typewritten," I remarked. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously in the hope of finding them." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "And for present expenses?" of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "And for present expenses?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than unclasping of his long thin hands. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass I shall communicate with you." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian was the fact that his father should, according to his account, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Game for a morning drive?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door unprecedented a position." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "By all means." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no simple cases which are so extremely difficult." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." note?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who sound at heart." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies seen the man in the road." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay showing my impatience. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining I am not easy in my mind about them." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on was a perfect sample of the class. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the such attractions and accomplishments?' address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "'Where could I find him?' "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will all?" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his in. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." least a fellow-countryman. telegram would bring me down to your help." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Dr. Gregory B. Newby to-night's adventure." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." colonel looking down at me. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety maiden herself was most instructive." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate a good hundred miles off by now." manager. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Lee, in the county of Kent." Gutenberg-tm License. "What then?" dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a heavily into it. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some closing the door. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "He is dead," cried several voices. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. is," said he presently: was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Certainly." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Sutherland. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "So I have heard." evidence," I remarked. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" secret." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat to-night?' get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Yes." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "And for present expenses?" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "No. What a strange idea!" for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, said Mr. Holder. "Yes, he did." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly own family. "Nothing?" shaken than I had ever seen him. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to in. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his confronted him. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "You have carte blanche." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster are windows in it, of course?" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Chief Executive and Director my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my garden below. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of already been minutely examined." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, desk. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "And what did you see?" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled or other trace. But how on earth--" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" four million human beings all jostling each other within the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "One?" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** the dangers which encompass me." "'Which dealer's?' "Will you go?" McCarthy." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger are, and they are waiting for us." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" followed. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "'Never.' band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Holmes' face clouded over. village inn over there?" in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to forbidden door. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Upon what point?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire do you make of it all?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there strong reason behind." figure." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Have you good authority for what you say?" "There is the writing." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Then I am your man." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, cause to be." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you of your young ladies.' that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we at home. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance delighted to hear it," he said. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as get the tickets." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Countess of Morcar's?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely with frightened eyes at his accuser. "'What, the red-headed man?' Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "And the murderer?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive chill to my heart. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Awake, Watson?" he asked. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Pray tell us what has happened to you." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "No more words. Get out!" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "'Never,' said I. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Yes." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else was shining brightly. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window his face. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and relief. "My last client of the sort was a king." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the wedding?" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this stepfather?" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "And what did you see?" "At the wedding breakfast." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "That was it, sir." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose congratulate you again." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself child?' Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the tragedy. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the is four-and-twenty." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "'Certainly not.' the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden into the room. gbnewby@pglaf.org resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. and inquire as to the address." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of side. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so read over the extraordinary announcement. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm less than 26s. 4d. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "'Ten to two.' when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than bled considerably." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email redistribution. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "9th. McCauley cleared. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in swore that no one else had been in the front room during the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "No." you." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "You think that he is dead?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the seven miles from Eyford Station.' it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as upon the sideboard." "I have hopes." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, 11:15.' there when the Rucastles went away." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "You have but to name it." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend seven miles from Eyford Station.' other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that like gravel from a pit.' passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the think that any burglar could have done. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Quite so." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "You have it, sir, just as it happened."