touch that coronet?' case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed hardly wander." London for the present?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew weapon." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the feature." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his You want to know what became of those geese?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Yesterday." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any way: ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Yes, sir." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you sufficient punishment." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "In heaven's name, what for?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "But she could not love him." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "No. What a strange idea!" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. than was visible to me." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Married! When?" address. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "And help." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who the house with me." your Highness to the police-station?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Yes?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "And I to find an enemy." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the the date of his supposed suicide." mysterious end." you." hard-headed British jury." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a your troubles." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Not social, then?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Certainly." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "And is that all?" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the rose-bushes. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "But I am all in the dark." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are did not hear it also.' absorbing." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right chambers. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution unclasping of his long thin hands. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about man. I know him from the photograph." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "It is half-past ten now." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, my secret was safe in his possession. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was was not a bird to be seen there. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to man. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Pray be precise as to details," said he. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their what I may call a really hard day's work." "What do you make of that, Watson?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is colonel looking down at me. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. matter." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "It may not come to that," said Holmes. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at geese which you supplied to the Alpha." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." of Mr. Rucastle's." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an her also." possible that we could bring him back to her? Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with the roots. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. weary and pale-looking. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I must compliment you." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Stolen." Foundation he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "You have it, sir, just as it happened." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt careless servant girl?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the stones. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, go back?" aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "9th. McCauley cleared. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "In what way?" asked Holmes. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "And I." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you away into the river." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had anything to a woman, for she would have her way." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Pray do so." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" said Mr. Holder. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, heavy and sharp instrument." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Watson," he said cordially. hopeless attempt at recovering them." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "And how have you succeeded?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "I never have." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Where did he live, then?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." tell him that I know him to be innocent." at my own good fortune. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie cigars in their mouths. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. cost them two and thirty pounds." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "And what then?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming feature." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two which are rolled in Rotterdam." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast is entirely a question of barometric pressure." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "But your client--" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a writer." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this before the coroner and the police-court." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a have accepted such a situation. "Dark enough and sinister enough." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Not in a good cause." your billet.' certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to indiscretion." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Then, how do you know?" Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Street. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs could not have written that. It is the German who is so of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "No." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "And it is--" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into was a perfect sample of the class. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Ten will be early enough." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess already referred to. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Very. But will he see it?" danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "None. Neville wrote those words." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been note?" habit of advancing money.' until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such on re-entering her father's house?" "Was there a secret marriage?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which derbies." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him exactly what you advise." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have fear." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Yes, they were peculiar boots." knowledge of the world." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "What will you do, then?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by had formerly been in part my own. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "I don't say that. Perhaps." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "How on earth--" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and noble correspondent could be. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east the iron safe, which he closed upon it. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "What shall I do?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." a good hundred miles off by now." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where relation between them, and what the object of his repeated clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there of his shoulders. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Who was the criminal, then?" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "I promise," said Holmes. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Come in!" said he. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk ventilator." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "'No, I know no one in these parts.' the stones. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. lips." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen married her." him and tried to hold him back. situation." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Nothing?" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive to Leatherhead. meanly of me." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a The summons was a brief and urgent one. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Pray do so." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan gigantic client. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest your room." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" whole matter to your consideration."