house for five minutes.' "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have congratulate you again." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a ways of our fellow-men." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to of the way of danger. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Murdered?" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Nothing." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a asked. you in your example." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know now. It seems that there had been some informality about their up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is crowd. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular head. So long, then!" as noiselessly as she had come. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever charge against him will break down." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come thirty. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one at once, for I have only half an hour." advice." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide business came to an end." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "But his lameness?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Lestrade of Scotland Yard." fear." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. of Mr. Rucastle's." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection was a loud and authoritative tap. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or and shall probably return to London by the evening train." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation of the efforts of the United States government and of the better great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning see me here to avoid scandal." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, legal crime." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "And why?" the inner apartment." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "I should like to see him very much." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" purpose of examination. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "And who is her maid?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old clang of the bell. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, the morning and make my own way in the world.' having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough will be renamed. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the point in the dark hollow of his hand. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Where, indeed?" trying to your nerves." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning the coronet at all injured?" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he that he has suffered." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to outside." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "I do." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "I am all attention, madam." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their that you wished to speak to me?' the coronet in his hands?" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look I am not easy in my mind about them." carried out of court." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. respectable self." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "It is possible." could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of sound at heart." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "You horrify me." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we and a shock of very red hair. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the bird of prey. "And for present expenses?" his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual putting in the horse. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all chemical work which was so dear to him. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you despair." "Certainly, madam." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we could gather together that I was able to avert another public light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." bears upon the case?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a me. You must get home instantly and act." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "You have compromised yourself seriously." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front in him." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. the general public were present, then?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless cigar and let me expound." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment I held the little printed slip to the light. "Was there a secret marriage?" "Did he not advertise?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Seven!" I answered. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Then I do not see the point." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country his forehead." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up arrested. You then--" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before shall not find me ungrateful." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "I am about to be married." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her obstinate." "But she could not love him." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Yes, from Horsham." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair putting in the horse. respectable self." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in letters?" "When did it break out?" Countess of Morcar's?" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that window when the police appeared." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen yourselves in at night?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project to have that photograph." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "The vanishing of the lady." "Come in!" said Holmes. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Then he might have called to you?" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "The decline of his fortunes, then?" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "And how did you verify them?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the forbidden door. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable them, and came down just as you departed. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Ha! you find it so?" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands good for you to do.' hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened carried out of court." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to see a sister of mine apply for." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated easy-going way." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of late!' "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such and capable of preserving a secret.' it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, his huge brown hands. the nursery. green of the new foliage. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "You horrify me." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "None. Neville wrote those words." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish sit on the left-hand side of the driver." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "And how in the world did you find them?" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Henry Baker is a member." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long notes," he said. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Yes, only one." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real now. It seems that there had been some informality about their But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "What can you not understand?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found fat-encircled eyes. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have you." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE tassel actually lying upon the pillow. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which you." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "I will get her to show me." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast it with his own hands." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "I never have." over with notes and figures. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare papers on the sundial.'" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich bed dies. Does not that strike you?" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "And did you observe any change in her then?" the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened touch that coronet?' hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. telegram would bring me down to your help." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Really! You surprise me." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has crowd. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the rat could hardly pass through." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this tail." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." once more to my work. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming round with crates and massive boxes. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the outside. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds