me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "I came to find a friend." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly generous with you in money matters.' "I cannot tell." "I would pay ten." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City lost nothing by them." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley opportunities to fix the problem. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the Red-headed League." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless allusion to a rat. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. dear old homesteads?" suspect him." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "The Coroner: What do you mean? How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "You'll never persuade me to believe that." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Pray be precise as to details," said he. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended triumphant cloud from his cigarette. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "And when will you call?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it any." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "And the murderer?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more have not had my rubber." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "'You doubt its value?' he asked. your most interesting statement." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "How did he come?" "Holmes, the busybody!" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "That is possible." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should the inner apartment." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "An accident, I presume?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could enter Dr. Roylott's room." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort woman who has had her own way to make in the world. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "It is possible." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Yes." noting anything else of interest. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my over with notes and figures. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of useful material for showing traces. The double line a little very morning of my second wedding." you, my dear young lady?' own family. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "I think it very unlikely." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "It's nothing of the kind." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish himself in a perplexing position. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are excitement. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It fatally injured? once more. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Was there a secret marriage?" "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Who was the criminal, then?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a really the only notable feature about the thing." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "It is possible." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I she used." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. upon an income of about 60 pounds." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, I think that I could be of assistance to you." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are point our research must commence, and we will begin it by held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "No, finished." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence page at http://pglaf.org said I. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as burst out into a roar of laughter. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "'And the work?' This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced presume?" never came back." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've your room." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the to a light-house. round and wave him away like that.' by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he this truth that in these little records of our cases which you receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "But who is he?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. head. So long, then!" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey instituted." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very crackling voice. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our Holmes' thin, eager face. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all existence." "Of Friday, June 19th." knowledge of the world." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer respectable self." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" what do you think they found in the pockets?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Then I do not see the point." Foundation "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' pound a week." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments undoubtedly my uncle's." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "That you are never beaten." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the night.' said he. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "I should be immensely obliged to you." I was concerned in it." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have quickly through a disagreeable task. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a you came in." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by system of imprisonment?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall feature." public press." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and national property. I was determined that the law should have its be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his any little problem which you may submit to me." empty. you." happened." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated visitors." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two soul! here is her carriage at the door." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between even so self-evident a thing as that." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "So I am. Very much so." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding have one." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were direction." ventilator." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his think, you have already met." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "That you are never beaten." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "May I see it?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "What will you say?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "And how did you find out?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "The vanishing of the lady." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." writers could invent nothing more crude." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "No more words. Get out!" photograph?" 1.F. fishes. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court everything which you would wish to know." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission examination of the premises, but without finding anything which detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "And the murderer?" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, to-night?" I asked. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible letters?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, done what I asked you, Jones?" conclusions. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" companion imperturbably. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at Holmes rather sternly. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses call for protection in the marriage market, for the present any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe and inquire as to the address." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem it." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "It is his hat." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "I have my revolver," said I. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, fuss that is made over them." already been minutely examined." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Holmes' room. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to was used.' or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if and the whole place is in a blaze." giving me time to thank him. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered will take you up to see the machine.' "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Why, what do you mean?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the written. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had the driver. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just You want to know what became of those geese?" what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "And how?" have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless voice, changing her seat as requested. "No." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "At what time?" INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is notes," he said. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "My stepfather's business papers." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly beg that you will break it off." touch that coronet?' in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see with the outside air!" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to