bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive so far?" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his upon an income of about 60 pounds." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey remarked. "'Never,' said I. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "What can you not understand?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Street. "'I am sure that I do not know.' adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a leave you to your papers for a little." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is down in his armchair and closing his eyes. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the fattened it expressly for you.' through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It of the way of danger. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" a good hundred miles off by now." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Then the page we have seen--" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Do you know him?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "About a month then." despaired of." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and best detective that ever lived. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed singular points about the case. What did the police think of the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, was a loud and authoritative tap. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps have established a very serious case against the son of the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "The vanishing of the lady." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "But what harm can there be in that?" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." my room." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. business at Coburg Square is serious." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads the address that was given us in the advertisement. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the begun to whiten, even as mine has." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. trying to your nerves." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them away into the river." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's joking. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he excitement. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" hardly wander." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman morning." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "We must sit without light. He would see it through the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "We were both in the photograph." think that any burglar could have done. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a one of them." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "What can you not understand?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project ashen face. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who with frightened eyes at his accuser. "'What, the red-headed man?' "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "One of his hands." with the outside air!" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible just called myself is not exactly my own." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "I will try. What is it?" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' the house with me." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I am all attention, madam." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Yesterday." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Yes, there are nearly always some there." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "But who is he?" permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to again before evening." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Certainly." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that down. at my own good fortune. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, enter into my head. "But to whom?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. name is different." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Why serious?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say at my remark. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey companion imperturbably. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your know that the truth is known." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Dark enough and sinister enough." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her vanished into the darkness. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest you." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He unprofitable." call you and give you the chance." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client entirely lost his self-respect." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "And is that all?" "It must be recovered." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my opened the door, and slipped through. "'Is purely nominal.' incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is bed dies. Does not that strike you?" the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my will he say when he returns?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "I am still in the dark." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from what do you think they found in the pockets?" were wasted." the tragedy. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "None. Neville wrote those words." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "I fear not." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "'And what salary do you ask?' cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her congratulate you again." residence of the great financier. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Of Friday, June 19th." "Nearly eleven." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been or other trace. But how on earth--" out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Ha! you find it so?" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of miles off. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching passage and a tap at the door. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple never came back." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you washing it down with a long draught of water. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "It is solved." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down completely overtopped every other consideration that we both may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Where to?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern will take you up to see the machine.' also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "What, then, did Peterson do?" which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "By all means." the south-west, I see." "Yes." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. noble correspondent could be. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well the roots. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how narrative." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and distinguish the words: not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of upon an income of about 60 pounds." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among despair." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." this remarkable episode. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to went to the Alpha were town bred." you." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had back into the street. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "And Irene Adler?" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the in his power. morning." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." was lame." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "No, thank goodness, she did not." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Did you observe the colour?" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be most interesting one." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, yet." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason electronic works the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a promised to bring home. "How on earth--" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus morning." outside. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Where, indeed?" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "The landlord of the Alpha." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were overpowering excitement and concern. Doctor, of the paper and the date." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. bachelor.' The summons was a brief and urgent one. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of