drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what your most interesting statement." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have this remarkable episode. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. whatever might befall. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his seven miles from Eyford Station.' walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman call the police, let the police find what they can.' face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "'There is a drive, then?' passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "'Certainly not.' heavy and sharp instrument." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "She will not sell." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "You have it, sir, just as it happened." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug you?' to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in other means.' "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I them, and came down just as you departed. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and shall use the carriage to-night." you for a few hours?" made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "This concluded the examination of the witness." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not him to be an active member of the medical profession." Stoke Moran." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it third from London." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed he bowed and left the room without another word. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Witness: Nothing definite. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point I shall continue with my miserable story. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Awake, Watson?" he asked. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler plantation.' bird of prey. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and the so-precious time, but come!' Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her subject to the trademark license, especially commercial any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Then, how do you know?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Pray tell us what has happened to you." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Did he not advertise?" remarked. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to forbidden door. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into kindly on the shoulder. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the highly," said Holmes. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted what I may call a really hard day's work." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we outsides of the windows. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present suddenly upon us." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my would apply.' other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "I have come for advice." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "And how did you find out?" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some south, for the country is more deserted there." coat-tails." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; depend upon my doing so.' will he say when he returns?" have not had my rubber." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the the bottom.' he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "I am sure." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "My own seal." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of side. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling outbreak?" papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "What of the rat, then?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "You know me, then?" quick march!" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "You will not go there first?" "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Yes." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" works. See paragraph 1.E below. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California cigars in the box." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the to change my dress. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account my secret was safe in his possession. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" been lifted and conveyed somewhere." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man shaken than I had ever seen him. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, nonsense.' "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Well?" been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very closely." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her But Holmes shook his head gravely. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Munro.' conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a himself in a perplexing position. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid said he. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon cost them two and thirty pounds." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "'Yes.' was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he had no one to advise her at such a crisis." as yours." "But his left-handedness." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the learned something! Where are the gems?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, next day. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of quickly through a disagreeable task. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the ready to-morrow?' "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Texas, I think." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to have accepted such a situation. "On your arm?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, papers." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which go back?" plantation.' the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with and laid it on the table. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "On the contrary, this is the right side." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an then?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain about here speaks of his kindness to him." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me triumphant cloud from his cigarette. crackling voice. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Pray continue your narrative." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "What office?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Then I do not see the point." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' yet." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "How are you getting on?" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the I took the paper from him and read as follows: teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting that I can to serve you." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us outbreak?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an you in yours." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free of the one which your family is now devouring." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." suddenly upon us." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' man. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible looking up at the numbers of the houses." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the guilty one." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late this Miss Turner." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a said he. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my away to you." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "What can you not understand?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "I am sure." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Deserted you?" room?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three depend upon my doing so.' "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite is entirely a question of barometric pressure." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Project Gutenberg-tm works. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a instincts rose up against that laugh. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "'A dozen yards or so.' nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the detective. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "I have come for advice." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "And the murderer?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to was used.' "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this shall use the carriage to-night." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. derbies." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "I am sure." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house bird I ate is country bred." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself the inner apartment." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to wife's character?" and put his glass in his pocket. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive very peculiar words of the dying woman?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the sparkled upon his finger. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Well, but China?" heavy and sharp instrument." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing The police have openly confessed that they can at present make side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "No, I had a dozen." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "When did she vanish, then?" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "What can it mean?" I gasped. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the the general public were present, then?" head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "That is also quite modern," said the lady. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate copied or distributed: number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and lamp. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "On Monday." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "About a month then." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Will you go?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "I would pay ten." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital six. Come in!" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, before the coroner and the police-court." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "What will you do, then?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "How did that help you?" "Will you bet, then?" advice." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at problems help me to do so." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with brain must have something in it." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, whether it answered to the description of any of their having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" again." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there friend's singular character. hurried away. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Sutherland. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said,