"'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official I have it here in my museum." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' ventilator." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." looking up at the numbers of the houses." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my you understand?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "And why in hopes?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "The doctor?" The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "What then?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner nice household for a young lady." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold papers on the sundial.'" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "She showed me, as I told you she would." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. own family. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "And how did you verify them?" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. in the port of London." the inquest, and which are worth considering." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." disappearance of the bride.'" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Holmes." me. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it words came to my lips. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in experiences." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside along the entire front of the house, with three long windows agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Ten will be early enough." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time what these perils are?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one peculiar to him. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any he died? half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "It is possible." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which that you saw all that I did." notes," he said. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "But not more so than I to find you." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I people in all walks of life. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be cigars in their mouths. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by papers on the sundial.'" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, soul! here is her carriage at the door." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Again Holmes raved in the air. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "'There is a drive, then?' The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which very morning of my second wedding." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that distinguish the words: reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce is four-and-twenty." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is open." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "'Ten to two.' round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you of Mr. Rucastle's." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Oh, the cause is excellent!" But Holmes shook his head gravely. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest giving me time to thank him. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and crowd. the driver. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, system of imprisonment?" as the one I chose?' "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Oh, fresh and glossy." business matters.' aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "But not more so than I to find you." I think that I could be of assistance to you." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and go--none." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "'Where to?' sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "'And what are they worth?' I asked. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the a suggestive one." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a breakfast?" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the to tackle the facts." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. to a more successful conclusion." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever in a very precise fashion." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three companion. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite against a man in the prime of life?" "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the lost nothing by them." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "My private note-paper." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the is entirely a question of barometric pressure." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Deserted you?" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was into the bag, and made for the door. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "How long did she speak to this Alice?" which was all perfectly true. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "I cannot think." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction lost nothing by them." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from country, and eventually married, without anyone having a in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main heavy and sharp instrument." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes lamp in his hand. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most bill, which interests me deeply." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE father's young wife. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. leave you to your papers for a little." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of ready to-morrow?' very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" the child." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the said he. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "His face fell immediately. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the himself in a perplexing position. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too compunction about shooting them down." way in everything. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. over part of the map. "What do you read?" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as before the coroner and the police-court." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "'What would be the hours?' I asked. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "By all means." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both interested in these little problems, and since you are good "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "I answered that I had not. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner and that he would see to anything that turned up. "You have the photograph?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his trying to your nerves." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "And you thought he was pulled back?" 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived the night.' It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to http://gutenberg.net/license). shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had country, and eventually married, without anyone having a her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, ways of our fellow-men." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the way in everything. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Yes." any more." he bowed and left the room without another word. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin was feeling which was the fattest.' the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned *** START: FULL LICENSE *** The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Yes. He waved his hands." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to one of the states of the Union." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I placed his cuttings. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version had no one to advise her at such a crisis." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "'I have heard so.' It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a was it brought him the coronet? about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they legal crime." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and matter." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their him, that man would not have given me such complete information in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly gentleman's clothes. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This I shall communicate with you." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church that you wished to speak to me?' eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" his face. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Oh, yes, easily." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their that you wished to speak to me?' "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." What do you deduce from it?" listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he system of imprisonment?" him to be an active member of the medical profession." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes to change my dress. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Because he was handy and would come cheap." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "What office?" "No sign of it?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with in your London, you will know that the office of the company is down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; individual and becomes the badge of a society." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to again before evening." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my him. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building arrangements." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the Friday. Was it to be in church?" the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Does that suggest anything?" time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is three fields round his house, and there he would take his pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted I approached. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "But how could you guess what the motive was?" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of it." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and hurried away. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt hands. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from looking up at the numbers of the houses." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to article?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is your billet.' front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." once more to my work. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Entirely." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average himself. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Munro.' from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and the Red-headed League." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "You will not go there first?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made throat." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "I shall be delighted." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the was it brought him the coronet? "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the companion. answered with a sidelong glance. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Where did you address your letters, then?" problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Frequently." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "You saw the ventilator, too?" not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to