the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. awaited us upon the table. to a light-house. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." fishes. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" who was a member of your goose club." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Where did you address your letters, then?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "'I have heard so.' the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, questionable one." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual lectures into a series of tales." of the one which your family is now devouring." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "'How far from the body?' the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, fled together." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't be. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "But how?" Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a The police have openly confessed that they can at present make well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms in him." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in geese which you supplied to the Alpha." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back front of me. and the church but not where the lady lived." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "There are none." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "The best possible." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge From what you have told me I think that it is possible that opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most narrative." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any status with the IRS. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. her also." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." me what he had done with the three missing stones. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "No, thank goodness, she did not." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "You think so, too?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The for its centre. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties papers on the sundial.'" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "'Yes, I promise.' the bed, and you in that chair." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "'Yes, it was gone.' and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in particular state visit http://pglaf.org "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" breakfast." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never upon an income of about 60 pounds." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Which surely he restored to their owner?" lectures into a series of tales." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near disappearance of the bride.'" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very his grey eyes. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge gbnewby@pglaf.org "An accident, I presume?" young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched and capable of preserving a secret.' for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it to talk it over. never to learn it at all." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Holmes, the busybody!" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "But his lameness?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is of the vacancies.' horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "What, then?" feature." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "VIOLET HUNTER." to have that photograph." like that before?" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "By no means." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "It is solved." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, swore that no one else had been in the front room during the them?" "But he might be a bachelor." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the rose-bushes. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander or other trace. But how on earth--" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "You did not overhear what they said?" walking." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Did you observe the colour?" should be taken.' records." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt husband's writing, madam." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been developed." "What! Had he lost his wife?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some without success. At last the little money which I had saved began as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." to affect your life." speckled band?" criminal. We have already had experience of such." "But of what society?" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very in this note: be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. weighed down with some great anxiety. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of and put his glass in his pocket. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to late." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" too. upon an income of about 60 pounds." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Why? What do you mean?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer coat-tails." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking that, and I came down." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be sufficient punishment." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "What do you make of that, Watson?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at union?" this Miss Turner." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and his forehead." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was companion. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me to-morrow." "'Certainly,' I answered. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who tail." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "'Then let me do so?' effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of what is your own theory as to what took place?" papers on the sundial.'" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your him and tried to hold him back. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an all that?" his face which made him a very different person to the round, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Ample." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses purpose equally well?" "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would congenial hunt. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "No?" your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with from you?" The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the noting anything else of interest. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an kind enough to tell me what I should do." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a events, Mr. Windibank!" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "I should like to see him very much." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his and I shall be with you presently." with some details as to your case." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they was a lad." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Entirely." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and notes," he said. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of in the dead of the night?' along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his http://gutenberg.net/license). The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a tassel actually lying upon the pillow. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, became a certainty. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could 'please.'" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Just look it up, then." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the plantation.' chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg before the coroner and the police-court." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a morning." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark allusion to a rat. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "It is possible." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "And how?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "She walked into the breakfast-room." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Yes, that is the Crown." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to galvanised. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "And who is her maid?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig."