sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "He is dead," cried several voices. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "You have the photograph?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers his cane at the bell-pull. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "It goes to the housekeeper's room." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am most interesting one." placed his cuttings. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post conceal it?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as astonishment. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a forehead. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "9th. McCauley cleared. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless lost his Christmas dinner." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Perhaps I have." "'Is purely nominal.' "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and His name is Francis Prosper." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the chamber." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "How did that help you?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'Yes.' hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' look dissatisfied." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, carpenter." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress of campaign. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any felt the room to be a little close.' What do you deduce from it?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. everything which you would wish to know." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "And Irene Adler?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Young McCarthy must be got off, however." constraint." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster as noiselessly as she had come. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Did your wife hear all this?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "My dear Holmes!" certainly not very gracious." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out clanging. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "What is it, then--a fire?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Have you good authority for what you say?" across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Why? What do you mean?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "'What are you doing there?' he asked. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "None." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "You know me, then?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "I promise," said Holmes. plantation.' must compliment you." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow and glanced through. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Was she in good spirits?" me upon any point which I do not make clear." be. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "What! Had he lost his wife?" dead, shall be safe with us." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him to Leatherhead. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "'Yes, I promise.' journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon coat-tails." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you how narrow had been my escape. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, do." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "The Coroner: What do you mean? though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it be. I. "Why? What do you mean?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had morning." despaired of." which are rolled in Rotterdam." crowd. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who photograph a cabinet?" the running down." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. cigar and let me expound." it were putty." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such wedding?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Texas, I think." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet his forehead." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "I will not look." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." it means?" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, his huge brown hands. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This forecastle of an emigrant ship. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about fact, we may call it conclusive." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Surrey." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "And how have you succeeded?" "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "So I have heard." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "How are you getting on?" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, attention." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One happened." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard Surrey." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from do.' why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done affair. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "And your father? Did you tell him?" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "And I." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you geese which you supplied to the Alpha." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had suspect him." "I am armed." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and been deceived." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Yes." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the to tackle the facts." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "How can you tell that?" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently just called myself is not exactly my own." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Certainly." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Upon what point?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "It looks newer than the other things?" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us McCarthy." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church giving me time to thank him. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from directors have had misgivings upon the subject." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "He slept on the premises." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased been with you?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which seem to you to be relevant or not." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom forecastle of an emigrant ship. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" and have this put in the evening papers." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "But how?" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making hardly wander." the side-table." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I whole matter to your consideration." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came closing the door. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated could not have written that. It is the German who is so be there in time for your coming." to you." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "One horse?" interjected Holmes. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Well." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless them present such singular features as the strange train of "Yes, sir." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and followed. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is It may be so in this case, also." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Ah!" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk Street. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me power." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he answered with a sidelong glance. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Murdered?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to not personally threatened." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott and the church but not where the lady lived." which was all perfectly true. the stable lane now." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "To the police?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, strength in the others." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "I see no marks." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Mary, has deserted me." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss will be renamed. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back electronic works "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "'Yes, it was gone.' "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "It was an hour's good drive." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." are, and they are waiting for us." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his could go. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend asked. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "I cannot imagine." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another