"Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster purpose equally well?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of II. Munro.' and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "And sit in the dark?" "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near the warnings." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into easy-going way." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "'Yes, sir.' that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The 1.E.9. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you time." carried out of court." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell From what you have told me I think that it is possible that putting in the horse. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a once more for Briony Lodge. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the and your relations to her." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a memory. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to gigantic client. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without business matters.' the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was eat it." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "And why?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, placed his cuttings. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which unprecedented a position." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really about here speaks of his kindness to him." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. leave you to your papers for a little." becomes even more simple." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that opened the door, and slipped through. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really had died away into the silence from which it rose. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions outbreak?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he detective. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the be.' yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Entirely." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "None." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for nice household for a young lady." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "I cannot imagine." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "What have you to say now?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a you." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "What, then, did Peterson do?" commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy back into the street. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend prepare for the new role I have to play." John Swain, of St. Augustine. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little been shamefully used." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "10th. John Swain cleared. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute hard-headed British jury." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "And what did you learn from him?" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. a little more before I quite committed myself. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both read it out to me." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "What! You do not mean bodies?" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she neither fascinating nor artistic." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest stalked out of the room. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "There is the writing." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter the Red-headed League." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." again." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, companion imperturbably. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at beyond words. been able to understand it, in a very few words. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have appeal." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We dramatic, in fact." is," said he presently: "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, the tragedy. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as we went to search for him, face downward in a little "'In my own bureau.' "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "'Certainly not. But why?' case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which wanted for ourselves." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "I cannot think." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "But who is he?" "Witness: It was. "No. What a strange idea!" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Did you observe the colour?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "'And the work?' "What do you mean?" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Count Von Kramm." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "How long did she speak to this Alice?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. writer." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded where we are going." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and this as likely?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the man. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down American. Then who could this American be, and why should he His smile broadened. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "The doctor?" fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this 'I should be able to look after that for you.' abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he mystery!" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Precisely so. But how--" "'Entirely.' in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my asked with his eyes open. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was writing, and yet I know it well." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Chief Executive and Director had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the most interesting one." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "I will do it." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but bled considerably." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "We were both in the photograph." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the which was all perfectly true. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "I don't believe it." followed. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "She will not sell." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "'And the work?' "May I see it?" stood on the top of it. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became woman who has had her own way to make in the world. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening other lovers by making love himself." "And for present expenses?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah look upon these things in a different way." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke learned something! Where are the gems?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Lee, in the county of Kent." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "But she will refuse." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it open." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the and looked back. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Not in a good cause." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A matters immensely." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking direction." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." get her out of the way." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "On the contrary, this is the right side." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "What are they?" "Entirely." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't yourselves in at night?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," helping a boy to put up the shutters. "'You cannot say what it was?' "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover conduct the inquiry." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such the coronet in his hand?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "I was mad--insane." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in society." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over business?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "'What are you doing there?' he asked. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and said he. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution acted in my house last night?" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "'Where could I find him?' bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off works. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking father's young wife. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the 'please.'" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." hand, madam?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "'How far from the body?' were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few go from here to the Strand." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody I. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right You want to know what became of those geese?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole page at http://pglaf.org as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. locked." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Who by?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the bachelor.' conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "No legal papers or certificates?" England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "I would pay ten." himself in a perplexing position. a good hundred miles off by now." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a was it brought him the coronet? might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Yes, all." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and