observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should excitement. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. enter into my head. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a had this final quarrel? to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the in one or two places in England?' sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened happened." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "My dear Holmes!" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." the best of training." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has children over to America with him, so that I found myself without he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of writing, and yet I know it well." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Certainly." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' and a shock of very red hair. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out to miss it." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Munro.' will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Game for a morning drive?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do round with crates and massive boxes. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "'And the work?' deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "I am in hopes that she does." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "My opinion is in no way altered." to take care of herself." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some mystery!" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. galvanised. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." the matter?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "And that is--" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "No legal papers or certificates?" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves think you a quite exceptional woman." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a if I call to-morrow?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "No, finished." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could might have a private word with us. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some gone. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "'A dozen yards or so.' "'Certainly,' I answered. again on its way. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "'Oh, no.' 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! have accepted such a situation. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the fashion which was peculiar to him. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other his huge brown hands. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the chambers. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Ample." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may at my remark. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "'Tell me all about it,' said I. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "She walked into the breakfast-room." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the touch that coronet?' "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "No?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "'Yes, sir.' contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "I answered that I had not. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing one which it was hard to resist. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the later, upon the night of May 2nd." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." when you have done it." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "And it is--" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" fishes. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "I am still in the dark." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger useful material for showing traces. The double line a little darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that had a long day." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he and that he would see to anything that turned up. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were distance from the station, and there we found the young lady former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "And leave your case unfinished?" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the to change my dress. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The in him." "I say that I have solved it." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, approach us with offers to donate. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to as noiselessly as she had come. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Eh? What was that?" matter over." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to and all of them with the keenest interest. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little tightly behind him. delighted to hear it," he said. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. past. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution morning." gbnewby@pglaf.org indiscretion." to tackle the facts." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, locked. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. with you alone." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you overpowering excitement and concern. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "It certainly sounds feasible." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, only touch the interest." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Yes." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders it means?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But III. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate train.' "What have you done?" asked Holmes. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Imitated." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner other means.' to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I became a certainty. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, woman." dates and names. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of galvanised. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" again." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "And from a noble client?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we 1.E.9. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' the Assizes." lamp in his hand. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are works. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of the Friday. Was it to be in church?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," strength in the others." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "I beg pardon." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a least a fellow-countryman. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right generous with you in money matters.' "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Never." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the there when the Rucastles went away." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Not I." vanished into the darkness. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Yes, all." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. has little to do with my story." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "You did not overhear what they said?" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "And what did you see?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly him to be an active member of the medical profession." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "I was mad--insane." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Yes." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "I know where it is." "That is unusual in a young girl." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle outsides of the windows. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Imitated." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Really! You surprise me." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to wedding?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" my special province." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was them, and came down just as you departed. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" presented more singular features than that which was associated allusion to a rat. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of next day. standing smiling on the door-step. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and front of the hall door has given its name to the place. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something touch that coronet?' Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked closing the door. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say power." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the vault. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and floor. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Yes, the wine-cellar." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "By no means." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not went to the Alpha were town bred." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before desk. "What have you to say now?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, tell him that I know him to be innocent." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" it." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "And how did you verify them?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand sooner or later she must fall a victim.