"But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "'Yes, sir.' any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "I am armed." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect and the whole place is in a blaze." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he suggested at once that there must be a communication between the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "'What are you doing there?' he asked. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With strength of mind to control. if she died from some sudden fright." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with the Assizes." "And for present expenses?" business." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Not him." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." which it had come upon my father." back alive. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much father's place of business?" American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on ways of our fellow-men." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in window when the police appeared." as he folded up the epistle. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have laugh and put his lips to my ear. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival good-night and bustled off upon her way. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy absorbing." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so made his money." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "What then?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. me what he had done with the three missing stones. hour." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Indeed! Whose, then?" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his the driver. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: your room." garden below. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" matter over." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny of the way of danger. death." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a manager. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of way in everything. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was locked." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was had a long day." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "My Mary? Impossible!" only touch the interest." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Always." "I cannot imagine." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an which are rolled in Rotterdam." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "I cannot say that I have." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there wife's character?" bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' the side-table." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute and the church but not where the lady lived." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would results." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "And Miss Sutherland?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "'How far from the body?' social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man once more on the important position which you have been fortunate and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "BALLARAT." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "But you would not advise me to refuse?" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly deduce something from that?" hereditary King of Bohemia." from the brougham. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? second." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole was lame." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "That's no good." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Get out!" said he. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Holmes. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "What, then?" "I answered that I had not. upon a handsome competence. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "'Oh, no.' "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal as he folded up the epistle. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "What steps will you take?" I asked. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Here?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Because he was handy and would come cheap." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." His name is Francis Prosper." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that at home. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, had a long day." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical this unhappy family?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Not social, then?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, to talk it over. "To an English lawyer named Norton." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his is a common subject for conversation. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, for securing the situation." "So I heard. You have him here?" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be hurried away. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." them?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Nothing." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind American. Then who could this American be, and why should he think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook outside. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his once more. "And how in the world did you find them?" goes." "'And what salary do you ask?' dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair yet." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I the stable lane now." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to you came in." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," delighted to hear it," he said. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She said he, "my real name is James Ryder." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with I am not easy in my mind about them." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may she might be summoned. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as your troubles." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in page at http://pglaf.org "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, colour had been driven from his face. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. eat it." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "My Mary? Impossible!" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to upon a handsome competence. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Chief Executive and Director took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "And Miss Sutherland?" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it his huge brown hands. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "From his hat?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "But I have heard all that you have heard." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "'Certainly not. But why?' outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, What do you deduce from it?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Which are?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Yes, all." "Where did he live, then?" shall use the carriage to-night." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, with the outside air!" by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such furiously. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout weigh very heavily upon my conscience." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "'Very good.' opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive all?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "'What then?' I asked. "Really! You surprise me." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have shoulder. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, of a light. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble that I can to serve you." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "My private note-paper." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "I have a cab outside." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for his knees, staring into the fire. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on behind me. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and the general public were present, then?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "I cannot say that I have." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora could gather together that I was able to avert another public Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "I will do it." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course reach." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about hereditary King of Bohemia." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Tired-looking or fresh?" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "And now?" He raised his hand. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small conclusions. "When did it break out?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the the inner apartment." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to signal between you and your father? "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. you?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Bought." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it unprecedented a position." ordinary clothes on?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' unprecedented a position." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to definite end. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just him to be an active member of the medical profession." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable impression behind it as though a window had gently closed at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "'And what salary do you ask?' "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate within hail.' Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "No bad?" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the strong reason behind." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss