was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "The vanishing of the lady." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My will find little credit to be gained out of this case." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "I do." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "That you are never beaten." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little call the police, let the police find what they can.' "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "But you have hopes?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at of it with the greatest attention. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow shaken than I had ever seen him. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of present." thin legs towards the fire. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your sooner or later she must fall a victim. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "And how did you verify them?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a cost them two and thirty pounds." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this photograph a cabinet?" will he say when he returns?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, power." miles off. made him keep the appointment." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm look upon these things in a different way." placed his cuttings. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in on re-entering her father's house?" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings round with crates and massive boxes. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't brandy and water within his reach. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "But to whom?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to guilty parties." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black character. beyond words. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "We must sit without light. He would see it through the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "VIOLET HUNTER." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case which we had just quitted. union?" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning crowd. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the one as in the other." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "And that is--" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET you, my dear young lady?' the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several colonel looking down at me. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "It is true that I have been generally successful." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas fear." was not a bird to be seen there. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I his knees, staring into the fire. business came to an end." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his papers diligently of late, have you not?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove morning." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "She will not sell." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "But his lameness?" occurred." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "No legal papers or certificates?" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." read over the extraordinary announcement. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Did you observe the colour?" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper to change my dress. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "The knees of his trousers." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "And now?" He raised his hand. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not of Mr. Rucastle's." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' unkempt, staring out at me. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Then I am your man." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "10th. John Swain cleared. respectable self." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well might have a private word with us. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Yes, it was twisted." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." foresight and the moral retrogression?" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it will be renamed. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid drawing your inferences." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "What then?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Ample." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "By no means." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, later, upon the night of May 2nd." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to chambers. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Witness: Nothing definite. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and works. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Why serious?" Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child heavily into it. "'It is locked up,' I answered. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon bill, which interests me deeply." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "I say it is." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and use an arc-and-compass breastpin." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, purpose equally well?" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and the Friday. Was it to be in church?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "It is very clear." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly bears upon the case?" our word." "You saw the ventilator, too?" action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: goes." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Certainly." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously It may be so in this case, also." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Nothing." introspective fashion. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and business came to an end." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this it." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently anything to a woman, for she would have her way." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six the little opening for the ventilator is." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Chief Executive and Director same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and would apply.' flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray cigars in their mouths. "No, my brougham is waiting." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "The doctor?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from quite distinctive." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As bled considerably." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "No bad?" granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat morning." "What will you say?" may have an influence upon European history." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had photograph?" article?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a were new raised from a basin. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Yes, at the mines." London for the present?" "And it is--" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the conduct the inquiry." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced his cane at the bell-pull. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "By no means." "At half-wages, in fact." be there in time for your coming." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the station." without a word or a look. "'I am sure if I had known--' "To an English lawyer named Norton." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "My Mary? Impossible!" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to and laid it on the table. own family. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the asked. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Yes, from Horsham." me have 200 pounds?' without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "The gentleman I describe." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "What then?" father's young wife. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by not, dad?" she asked. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little ashen face. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded galvanised. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "'Never.' bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I of Fenchurch Street." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and said he. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an the south-west, I see." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he there is a decided draught." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "I should wish to." "'Quite sure, dad.' questioning and rather startled gaze. already referred to. me where it went to?" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. never will be, entirely cleared up. morning." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Why did you beat the pavement?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.'