what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you all-comprehensive glances. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "I am about to be married." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "A confidential servant?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as himself to tell his story. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Is he quiet?" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "No, I am descending." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Absolutely?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last this man was intellectual?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Where is it, then?" outbreak?" away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Thank you. Pray proceed." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "The vanishing of the lady." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" father's young wife. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." one's self under obligations.' the stable lane now." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "I cannot think." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "What will you do, then?" he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on his knees, staring into the fire. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said is four-and-twenty." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "She told me to ask you." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "But to whom?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have matter over." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the was it brought him the coronet? direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "ARAT," I read. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." fattened it expressly for you.' the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away o'clock is it?" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "In answer to an advertisement." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "And sit in the dark?" "'There is a drive, then?' were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." lamp. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." with frightened eyes at his accuser. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, to-night?' answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and I. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "And help." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Then you may be so with me." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." prepare for the new role I have to play." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Was your sister dressed?" she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Yes." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was yards of it?' slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." face and glided from the room. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy companion. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Yes." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Yes." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, little adventures." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage you in yours." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. charged with?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe existence." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of what I may call a really hard day's work." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "I answered that I had not. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not head. So long, then!" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went weigh very heavily upon my conscience." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I as he folded up the epistle. gone. through." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I ceremony." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old in him." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a him!" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle here and I will read it to you: his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Foundation to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Ten will be early enough." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." one which it was hard to resist. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall bird I ate is country bred." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay said I. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to mystery!" "I would pay ten." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the you." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "I am all attention, madam." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I has little to do with my story." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he with frightened eyes at his accuser. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. rooms." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in which it had come upon my father." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "In heaven's name, what for?" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. have been better. It is all right." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a this as likely?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "It is his hat." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Indeed! Whose, then?" "'What do you call purely nominal?' country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "But what harm can there be in that?" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End village inn over there?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "What! a murderous attack?" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately presented more singular features than that which was associated my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" be best to do. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Her father is very rich?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest lost nothing by them." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have have one." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a congenial hunt. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best case-book, which he consulted. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to his fortune, and I went back to pa. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of said I. It may be so in this case, also." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "That you are never beaten." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and me. You must get home instantly and act." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. I nodded again. more solid." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." think you a quite exceptional woman." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I o'clock is it?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so seen the man in the road." locked." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ crime." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "And how have you succeeded?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "I will get her to show me." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him the so-precious time, but come!' was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its in the dead of the night?' from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and despair." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." prison!" copied or distributed: wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "I am in hopes that she does." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all quickly through a disagreeable task. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the pressing in one house as in another. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Was the window open?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than call it cruel." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Edgeware Road. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "I cannot tell." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I was lame." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This never will be, entirely cleared up. good-night and bustled off upon her way. better in every way that they should make their position a little repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client my little problems." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that she used." woven round him. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger village inn over there?" and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah putting in the horse. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Certainly." "What is it?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' gigantic client. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, everything which you would wish to know." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair ill-usage at the hands of fortune. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you there were so many in the whole country as were brought together nonsense.' central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his do.' myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "'Not at all. I only doubt--' is so. I know all about McCarthy." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet singular points about the case. What did the police think of the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "In the cells." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, passage and a tap at the door. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "I was sure that I might rely on you." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his vanished into the darkness. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But rat could hardly pass through." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you was it brought him the coronet? States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "None. Neville wrote those words." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are,