himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he was keenly on my guard against him. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a of Fenchurch Street." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then walking." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I strong and stiff." "What is it, then--a fire?" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable papers diligently of late, have you not?" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I attention." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel might help us?" arrangements." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not bird of prey. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of them, and came down just as you departed. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." in his power. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "On your arm?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So the stones. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Again Holmes raved in the air. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the a monotonous occupation." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to in the dead of the night?' above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a you for a few hours?" intrusion of other matters." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "What then?" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my said I. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the opportunities to fix the problem. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of morning." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and other, as fresh and trim as possible. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is seen the man in the road." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." must compliment you." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Imitated." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the as the one I chose?' you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds problems help me to do so." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were the station." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what I approached. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet seen the man in the road." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "And is that all?" "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "And Miss Sutherland?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Project Gutenberg-tm works. said I. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in his grey eyes. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "I am following you closely," I answered. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Where did he live, then?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "One?" for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one confronted him. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the was a loud and authoritative tap. "Thank you. And your address?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that it." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "I cannot imagine." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, events than those which have happened in my own family." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the know what is wrong with it.' you want, then?' And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after was a lad." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for very old mansion. strong and stiff." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' tail." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or fuss that is made over them." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning page at http://pglaf.org "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "It came here." "That is not always so easy." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing into her hand at the door and which lured her within their used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some back into the street. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look thought that she would have been so carried away." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came least a most suspicious remark." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." where we are going." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own enough to aid us in our search." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Ten will be early enough." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. mystery!" "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the at once, for I have only half an hour." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "I saw her in conversation with her maid." brandy and water within his reach. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. him and tried to hold him back. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "On Monday." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now which we had just quitted. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain fatally injured? "No." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "And now?" He raised his hand. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is heavily into it. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. flock.' their singular warning or token before them when starting upon and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." if she died from some sudden fright." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "She will not sell." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Well?" for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself them present such singular features as the strange train of troubles have been weighing upon his mind. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of round with crates and massive boxes. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the depend upon my doing so.' someone who had been in Australia." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "You have the photograph?" the stable lane now." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage I. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion outside." "Just look it up, then." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and looking up at the numbers of the houses." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even nonsense.' there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly photograph?" not personally threatened." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "But how did you gain them?" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "ARAT," I read. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Not in the least." "I should wish to." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. client, rising. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand gentleman's clothes. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. them?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very details." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and appeal." "But it has twice been burgled." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be appeared upon the scene." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "No good news?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "And from a noble client?" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" window when the police appeared." relief. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in any little problem which you may submit to me." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Serpentine Avenue. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Oh, yes, easily." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have and all of them with the keenest interest. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Then the page we have seen--" giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." felt the room to be a little close.' upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously client, rising. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "I will get her to show me." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were my former friend and companion. "Not yet." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. photograph?" drove away. direction." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Won't it ring?" "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. asked with his eyes open. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." true." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Not particularly." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "You have carte blanche." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and