been lifted and conveyed somewhere." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use habit of advancing money.' wedding?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Holmes, the busybody!" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Was he the only applicant?" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. stood on the top of it. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but definite end. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." newspaper selections." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we know all about it," he snarled. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I weighed down with some great anxiety. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of which are rolled in Rotterdam." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of recover the gem." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. once more for Briony Lodge. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and new acquaintance to Baker Street. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of this man was intellectual?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "You heard nothing yourself last night?" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A himself in a perplexing position. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "And I." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the are, I think, all that we need." becomes even more simple." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "'Entirely.' derbies." married her." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the is acting for the best. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase voice. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy conceal it?" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either notes," he said. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "No, distinctly professional." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did present." You want to know what became of those geese?" a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would tension within him. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my tail." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door following enigmatical notices: down from London to inquire more deeply into it." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call not fit the lock." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "That is it on the dressing-table." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in outside. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling she used." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "But of what society?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall gentleman's clothes. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Yes, all." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know least a most suspicious remark." "'I have heard so.' had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Not in the least." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "And why in hopes?" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and was lame." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "One horse?" interjected Holmes. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and astonishment. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you money should be paid at once.' smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Oh, fresh and glossy." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House ago." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Yesterday." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family bell. Holmes whistled. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Yes, it was twisted." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that affair. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the coronet in his hand?" rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "I have a cab outside." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "I fear not." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his hurried by. "So it appears." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "So I heard. You have him here?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Precisely so. But how--" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a fashion which was peculiar to him. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line to some other building. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Witness: It was. not personally threatened." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; that there was nothing in it, after all." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague you?" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "'Certainly,' I answered. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It which should have the effect of calling the attention of the of it with the greatest attention. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out humiliation." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From noting anything else of interest. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will habit of advancing money.' followed. village inn over there?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the your only hope of safety." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in mystery!" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever at my remark. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Two days later this same performance was gone through under hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some nonsense.' month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Absolutely none." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came golden eyeglasses. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "I cannot tell." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "I assure you that I am in your hands." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the mystery!" "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "So I am. Very much so." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Dirty?" front of me. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to indeed which he could not unravel. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we kindly on the shoulder. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he tell them apart.' in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. chance at all." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to is entirely a question of barometric pressure." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "'What are you doing there?' he asked. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "'Not at all. I only doubt--' more terrible than the truth. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of that I can to serve you." the little opening for the ventilator is." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back answer." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I hard-headed British jury." father's place of business?" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban The events in question occurred in the early days of my imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, goes." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I way: "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Where is it, then?" it." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go will take you up to see the machine.' experiences." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and than was visible to me." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "It was an hour's good drive." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice have accepted such a situation. ready to-morrow?' generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "And now?" I asked. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I His name is Francis Prosper." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what to-night?" I asked. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must mysterious business." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "'Very good.' fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, I. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "You are all wrong." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he McCarthy." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" entirely devoid of interest." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. fait accompli?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself and that he would see to anything that turned up. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the away into the river." heavily into it. the roots. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. to have that photograph." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution occupations.' "That is easily got." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "You know me, then?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast all?" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the