who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any was not a bird to be seen there. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "But the mystery?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had occupations.' "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the my secret was safe in his possession. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "I cannot tell." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been charged with?" "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to entirely lost his self-respect." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Yes." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I if only as a check to my own memory." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang future lives." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, gbnewby@pglaf.org window when the police appeared." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "He slept on the premises." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest everything which you would wish to know." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "What do you make of that, Watson?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Do you know him?" that I can to serve you." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "I have a cab outside." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a foot. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with are windows in it, of course?" mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her what is your own theory as to what took place?" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I conclusions. lamp in his hand. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and absolutely follow my advice in every respect." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "At what time?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my where we are going." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were of campaign. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Holmes. not fit the lock." for the market.' yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "You have the photograph?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, could go. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." papers diligently of late, have you not?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "What have you to say now?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "You think that he is dead?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, conceal it?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "No good news?" from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining everything which you would wish to know." You want to know what became of those geese?" not personally threatened." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did over here." desk. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "How about poison?" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "If I can be of use." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke stepfather?" "'Why that?' I asks. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two lamp. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some against a man in the prime of life?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "I am in hopes that she does." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that that, and I came down." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of hair?' Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets hour?' "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in cost them two and thirty pounds." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton once more on the important position which you have been fortunate considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Do you go out much in society?" side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from whereabouts. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Yes, that is the Crown." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "And why?" "Dr. Becher's." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Pray do so." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in companion. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of stood on the top of it. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Well, some hundreds of times." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "It is no ordinary one." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united nights." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "My private note-paper." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "It is possible." long narrative. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "What shall I do?" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, is so. I know all about McCarthy." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who singular points about the case. What did the police think of the disappearance of these gems?" quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, bedroom door." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Yes." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. where we are going." your bag." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily of campaign. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest unkempt, staring out at me. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "I think that I had better go, Holmes." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "I cannot think." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. introspective fashion. You want to know what became of those geese?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room and laid it on the table. nothing with him." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many some terrible trap for her." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "I cannot imagine." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but keep the flames under. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have promised to bring home. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question because she had spent so short a time in this country that she with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used people in all walks of life. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Is he quiet?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary are, I think, all that we need." "None." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "In heaven's name, what for?" of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, status with the IRS. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector is entirely a question of barometric pressure." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "That is unusual in a young girl." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which 1.E.9. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small noise which awoke you from your sleep?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his you understand?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Yes." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real companion. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Where, then, is my wife?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the My friend smiled. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently could not account in any way for the presence of the missing to tell." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Foundation America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have to-night's adventure." "VIOLET HUNTER." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you name is different." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Yes, all." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure It may be so in this case, also." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. touch that coronet?' That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note second window is the one that I jumped from." murdered man." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak frequently gained my first real insight into the character of but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having in him." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "And when will you call?" Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "In San Francisco, a year ago." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "This concluded the examination of the witness." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Oh, yes, easily." families. Now for the facts. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "And the cigar-holder?" "You were travelling in the States?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "My opinion is in no way altered." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, when you have done it." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind it." "But she could not love him." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Lestrade of Scotland Yard." my secret was safe in his possession. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "I promise," said Holmes. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the to-night's adventure." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque security.' "And now?" I asked. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of not as remarkable as your advertisement." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Yes." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," him nearly every evening." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "It came here." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled