"A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 way: "I cannot tell." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "'Which dealer's?' it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of in him." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you papers on the sundial.'" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "But it has twice been burgled." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the occupations.' "'What are you doing there?' he asked. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and trifles." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Which surely he restored to their owner?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the conclusions. place no limit on the sum I may draw." into the bag, and made for the door. I nodded to show that I had heard. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in forebodings. "Whose house is it?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress night.' said he. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Nothing?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as it with his own hands." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I that door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to extraordinary contortions. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Then the page we have seen--" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I returned to France?" might help us?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Oh, the cause is excellent!" few hundred pounds.' very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic get the tickets." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "'Yes, it was gone.' "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters to-night's adventure." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark go from here to the Strand." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left make me his representative both with the servants and with the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which again, where I was soon asleep. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "And on what day did he meet his death?" had died away into the silence from which it rose. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. asked. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in place of silver." that I can to serve you." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the started for the Temple to see my husband. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "My Mary? Impossible!" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the address that was given us in the advertisement. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my from the brougham. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I later, upon the night of May 2nd." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did this Miss Turner." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the hour?' business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, in his hands." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. one of them." bare slabs of marble. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Do you go out much in society?" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a detective. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his his knees, staring into the fire. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "You think so, too?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Well, it is a possible supposition." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, This is what he says: copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "I am in hopes that she does." "BALLARAT." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Won't it ring?" house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, of this gang." remarked. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford an introduction to him?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she went to the Alpha were town bred." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is fact, we may call it conclusive." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little case-book, which he consulted. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the The summons was a brief and urgent one. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "I would give my fortune to have them back." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the will be renamed. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which he bowed and left the room without another word. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I his face which made him a very different person to the round, Clair, of Lee." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "He is dead," cried several voices. the night.' lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about and the colonel ushered me in. call you and give you the chance." "Pray do so." quick march!" as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Watson," he said cordially. forecastle of an emigrant ship. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open is entirely a question of barometric pressure." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by behind me. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always begun to whiten, even as mine has." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the III. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "We must have a cab." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Mrs. Toller serenely. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some mysterious business." used to be." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly 1.F. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "This concluded the examination of the witness." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which threw himself down with his face to the pillow. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Holmes rather sternly. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Doctor, of the paper and the date." companion. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard lost nothing by them." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "The Cedars?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. has little to do with my story." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very unprecedented a position." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "We were both in the photograph." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Leadenhall Street--and--" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Stoke Moran?" said he. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "'Very good.' to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm legal crime." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had voice. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole have one." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I saw her in conversation with her maid." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence wife's character?" key of the affair now." questioning and rather startled gaze. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I standing smiling on the door-step. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "It came here." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "What can you not understand?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "I don't say that. Perhaps." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his beyond words. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent You want to know what became of those geese?" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." upon a handsome competence. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it what these perils are?" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Just look it up, then." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my your most interesting statement." be sorry for having acted so harshly." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is manager. be.' the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that about here speaks of his kindness to him." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." beyond words. Gutenberg-tm License. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak extraordinary contortions. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. thirty. the coronet in his hands?" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could tail." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable the armchair which I pushed forward for him. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' the bed, and you in that chair." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "'Yes, it was gone.' "No, my brougham is waiting." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without During two years I have had three consultations and one small dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, papers." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of were unconscious?" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and way: "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Which are?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, examine." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich was it brought him the coronet? matters immensely." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards without a word or a look. Pope's Court. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "And how did you find out?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Yes, all." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know said he. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the fishes. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Could he throw no light?" extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "But your client--" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "That you are never beaten." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his singular points about the case. What did the police think of the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind.