a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with I shall communicate with you." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "'What then?' I asked. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a and inquire as to the address." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, I approached. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no province." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "How did he come?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." outbreak?" "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I went to the Alpha were town bred." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of walking." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked points to suicide?" the dangers which encompass me." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE brandy and water within his reach. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was advice." one else, I think." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take joking. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." so.' "Will you bet, then?" Chief Executive and Director observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the coronet in his hands?" prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner the bed, and you in that chair." this poor creature." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they to have been novel and of interest." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying overpowering excitement and concern. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "No more words. Get out!" soul! here is her carriage at the door." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our third from London." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "None." Heh?' word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. who was a member of your goose club." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "And why?" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Very much so." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do James Windibank. Voilà tout!" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute would apply.' business at Coburg Square is serious." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they a little more before I quite committed myself. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. kindly on the shoulder. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "'No, I know no one in these parts.' remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were walking." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "The vanishing of the lady." "And I say east," said my patient. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the it." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between your only hope of safety." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can gbnewby@pglaf.org Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "How did that help you?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "But you were on a friendly footing?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no him." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. placed his cuttings. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "And how did you find out?" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate heavy and sharp instrument." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "'Stolen!' he cried. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie intimate personal affairs in this public manner." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "'Where to?' of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on outside. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" bill, which interests me deeply." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "You know me, then?" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always be there in time for your coming." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" unclasping of his long thin hands. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. felt the room to be a little close.' eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. crackling voice. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "No sign of it?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, considering the formidable letters which were received by himself photograph?" "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Certainly." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in what I may call a really hard day's work." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came secret." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to legal crime." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "No. What a strange idea!" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "10th. John Swain cleared. DISSOLVED. I have it here in my museum." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment it were putty." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her such attractions and accomplishments?' "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "It was." believe that I should never have any practice at all. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Get out!" said he. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." to some other building. looking up at the numbers of the houses." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "None." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there asked. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant where she found matters as described by the last witness. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "'Where could I find him?' "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "None." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to within hail.' "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a national property. I was determined that the law should have its adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There there has been an enclosure here!" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "'And what are they worth?' I asked. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to it right.' large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "'Ample.' sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Arthur Conan Doyle husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "That is possible." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture of Mr. Rucastle's." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB papers diligently of late, have you not?" had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that which it had come upon my father." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in mysterious end." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his chance at all." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "I am following you closely," I answered. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "'Never.' Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "A call for help, you thought?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "My private note-paper." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to indeed which he could not unravel. "What, then, did Peterson do?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" better grown goose." business matters.' attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the Street. interests were the same as his." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge in darkness. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Did your wife hear all this?" "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could your own bird, so if you wish--" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "What steps will you take?" I asked. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old again." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me would then never go into court at all." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, ashen face. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR if I call to-morrow?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told outside. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. had picked up in the wood. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Has he come with you to-night?" leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Who was the criminal, then?" while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Why, what do you mean?" weary and pale-looking. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "If I can be of use." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other likely to be some crony of the landlady's." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "May I see it?" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Then, as to money?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers."