breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "You will not go there first?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this awkward doing business with an alias." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that Gutenberg-tm License. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon your billet.' railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "What have you done?" asked Holmes. nonsense.' "What is it?" Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a advice." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and answer." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Surrey." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs future lives." "In which, sir?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "And now?" I asked. was not a bird to be seen there. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen words came to my lips. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "No. What a strange idea!" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we there in twenty minutes." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "No." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at your own bird, so if you wish--" where she found matters as described by the last witness. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had careless servant girl?" before the coroner and the police-court." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Yes. He waved his hands." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "What are they?" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "'I am sure that I do not know.' It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw and the colonel ushered me in. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, returned to France?" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "But who is he?" "What have you to say now?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we handed it to him. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is I took the paper from him and read as follows: the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before three of the beryls in it, was missing. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "'I am sure that I do not know.' "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to characteristics, but those are the more obvious." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows if I call to-morrow?" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "But it has twice been burgled." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first situation." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes helping a boy to put up the shutters. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "I will try. What is it?" way in everything. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong to-night?" I asked. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the weapon." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman depend upon your compliance." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "An enemy?" think you a quite exceptional woman." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was them?" Leadenhall Street--and--" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. his forehead." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Were they all fastened this morning?" drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "'Which dealer's?' however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than stalked out of the room. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he reach." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a other means.' wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. the driver. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my round and wave him away like that.' others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "But I am all in the dark." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Very much so." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do this remarkable episode. "Pray let us have it, for all that." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill this man was intellectual?" one's self under obligations.' into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and approach us with offers to donate. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some villagers almost as much as their master. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the better in every way that they should make their position a little "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very absolutely follow my advice in every respect." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Ah!" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Lestrade of Scotland Yard." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "I shall be delighted." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears think you a quite exceptional woman." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, business." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Dr. Gregory B. Newby another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Yes." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major that I may have something better before very many minutes are Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom business matters.' his face. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "No." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "'What are you doing there?' he asked. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "10th. John Swain cleared. will take you up to see the machine.' was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such some terrible trap for her." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "'Not at all. I only doubt--' black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my detective. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "What can it mean?" I gasped. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a to affect your life." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of DAMAGE. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle about here speaks of his kindness to him." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "'Why that?' I asks. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, the child." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "We were both in the photograph." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to secret." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a I think that I could be of assistance to you." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A me. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "'I shall certainly be there.' Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait The note was undated, and without either signature or address. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my we went to search for him, face downward in a little have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Whose house is it?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "We were both in the photograph." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be it right.' conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Well." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, grasp, he hurried from the room. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "By train from Waterloo." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is over with notes and figures. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon foresight and the moral retrogression?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took furiously. "Yes, the wine-cellar." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch investigation." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part you for a few hours?" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be tell him that I know him to be innocent." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be at once, for I have only half an hour." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should License. You must require such a user to return or "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "'Where could I find him?' and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished handed it to him. writing, and yet I know it well." how narrow had been my escape. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "In which, sir?" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his thought that she would have been so carried away." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the outbreak?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a bird of prey. of a light. the running down." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Yes?" who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "You don't mind breaking the law?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, at home. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Here?" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "No. His orders were to stay in the house." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box the Red-headed League." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "But who is he?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry present." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have recover the gem." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence was keenly on my guard against him. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of arrested. You then--" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What