breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. into the room. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is indeed which he could not unravel. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "On the contrary, this is the right side." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my not personally threatened." think you a quite exceptional woman." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Yes, all." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Arthur Conan Doyle met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of followed. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, new acquaintance to Baker Street. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, me upon any point which I do not make clear." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House was it brought him the coronet? dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest this remarkable episode. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread felt?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Did your wife hear all this?" neither fascinating nor artistic." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "The knees of his trousers." allusion to a rat. "No, finished." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, look dissatisfied." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some get her out of the way." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "One of his hands." my room." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any my room." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "'What are you doing there?' he asked. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he detective. "No?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the papers." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. voice, changing her seat as requested. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." purpose equally well?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. more terrible than the truth. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "What! Had he lost his wife?" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already I took the paper from him and read as follows: did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith morning." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of that, and I came down." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Certainly, madam." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "BALLARAT." do." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Eyford at 11:15.' "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Nothing?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. his huge brown hands. do you make of it all?" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort could not have written that. It is the German who is so liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing noting anything else of interest. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, have an American origin." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. that threaten you." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" of campaign. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between points in connection with it which never have been, and probably a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my to-night." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry persecution?" "About a month then." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding crowd. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right discontent upon his features. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became and glanced through. "My photograph." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Which are?" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the several quiet little villages up there." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced who was a member of your goose club." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "It was." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had of the way of danger. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I remarked. "Very murderous indeed." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, breakfast?" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Here?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden something of him before." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would despair." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his tell them apart.' "Now, then, what's the last entry?" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the extraordinary contortions. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "I will not look." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Holmes' thin, eager face. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind girl said." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons purpose of examination. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you strong reason behind." been shamefully used." advice." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive residence of the great financier. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and characteristics, but those are the more obvious." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water villagers almost as much as their master. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms and a shock of very red hair. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Lee, in the county of Kent." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or that he will be back before evening." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "That was it, sir." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should tear off another piece?' something of him before." "And I." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow lost nothing by them." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "When did it break out?" will he say when he returns?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and newspaper selections." "But we can't all be." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "So I heard. You have him here?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into you?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, said he. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are of the efforts of the United States government and of the better ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Then I do not see the point." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently works. See paragraph 1.E below. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, McCarthy." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." memory. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black one which it was hard to resist. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "When did it break out?" preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Did your wife hear all this?" enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, careless servant girl?" "And leave your case unfinished?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend written. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Perhaps we may make them less so." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, be best to do. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that this Miss Turner." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Then I am your man." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at if only as a check to my own memory." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced criminal. We have already had experience of such." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and confronted him. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "No legal papers or certificates?" hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "It surprised me." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue you came in." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "I answered that I had not. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, fuss that is made over them." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Pray continue your narrative." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "What do you mean?" key turn in the lock." before the coroner and the police-court." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Yes, it was twisted." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "What do you make of that, Watson?" confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two soul! here is her carriage at the door." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he business in the City. She little knew what. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Was your sister dressed?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, quickly through a disagreeable task. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, populous neighbourhood." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for best detective that ever lived. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself hard-headed British jury." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Absolutely none." when your master had gone out." astonishment. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The important." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of approach us with offers to donate. "I beg pardon." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "You are all wrong." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon business." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of McCarthy." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting directors have had misgivings upon the subject." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "How did you deduce the select?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in sit on the left-hand side of the driver." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Pray continue your narrative." "Never."