fatally injured? him and tried to hold him back. one else, I think." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Your presence might be invaluable." approach us with offers to donate. Farm upon the left." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows became a certainty. I was concerned in it." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "My last client of the sort was a king." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "My dear Holmes!" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of forbidden door. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and of it with the greatest attention. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive with some details as to your case." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "From his hat?" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in there in twenty minutes." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "What do you make of that, Watson?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Yes, it would be as well." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" bachelor.' is now desirous of getting those letters back." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a following enigmatical notices: these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for so.' stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at his forehead." before the coroner and the police-court." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made of them has the shutters up.' awkward doing business with an alias." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother noting anything else of interest. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Is he quiet?" delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Street. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "'Yes, sir.' they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the entirely lost his self-respect." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "But of what society?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "And the murderer?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "'As governess?' vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Then you may be so with me." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a question. during which he might have communicated with his friend the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. the nursery. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my without success. At last the little money which I had saved began hard-headed British jury." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "I was mad--insane." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money words came to my lips. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included maid will bring up your coffee." of the way of danger. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" least a most suspicious remark." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my side. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must bachelor.' town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, redistribution. long narrative. there!' "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made foot. but preventing her from injuring another. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have felt the room to be a little close.' "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Leadenhall Street--and--" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Eh? What was that?" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the some water from a caraffe. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "That's no good." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Watson," he said cordially. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "This photograph!" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, it with his own hands." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "But it has twice been burgled." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Your French gold?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Edgeware Road. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Oh, fresh and glossy." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "But how could you guess what the motive was?" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "'Most admirably.' "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Quite so." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." mystery!" imbecility!" he cried. foot. if only as a check to my own memory." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He populous neighbourhood." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Bought." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. your troubles." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss hands. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his From what you have told me I think that it is possible that seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Perhaps we may make them less so." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of woven round him. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Of what day?" natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "I say it is." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my is so. I know all about McCarthy." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly narrative." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "'Yes, sir.' should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "We were both in the photograph." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a the child." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "I know where it is." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "They are typewritten," I remarked. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot the inquest, and which are worth considering." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into the house with me." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Very truly yours, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my own family. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, indeed which he could not unravel. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we But Holmes shook his head gravely. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore chance." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As to change my dress. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "'What would be the hours?' I asked. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could at once, for I have only half an hour." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Farm upon the left." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "No, finished." "What is it?" of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle kind enough to tell me what I should do." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "An accident, I presume?" husband's writing, madam." in this note: front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to them present such singular features as the strange train of diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand maiden herself was most instructive." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the shoulder; "he's all right." "But how did you gain them?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal business at Coburg Square is serious." help us in this matter." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." bearing upon the case." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." the bed, and you in that chair." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Did your wife hear all this?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; and shall probably return to London by the evening train." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first take the flies, but not before." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "That is unusual in a young girl." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some fact, we may call it conclusive." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main together. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." least a fellow-countryman. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "And what did you learn from him?" "But what harm can there be in that?" and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee,