gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "It was a confession," I ejaculated. asked with his eyes open. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Could he throw no light?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, it." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of events than those which have happened in my own family." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "When did it break out?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few girl said." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "What is it?" "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his writers could invent nothing more crude." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his or other trace. But how on earth--" I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate in my life." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that least a most suspicious remark." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his not, dad?" she asked. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder this as likely?" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and interest. They are important, you understand, without being exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "How can you tell that?" do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Of what?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with walking." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You you came in." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely dear old homesteads?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself drawing your inferences." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent lumber-room." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Then, how do you know?" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from once more to my work. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this me where it went to?" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "No sign of it?" whether it answered to the description of any of their my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "What of the rat, then?" and the whole place is in a blaze." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Yes, they were peculiar boots." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding sentimental considerations in the background which would induce the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "How many? I don't know." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other distinguish the words: Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. tightly behind him. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "A greater distance to travel." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is was feeling which was the fattest.' It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had thirty. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "On the contrary, this is the right side." I approached. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel with you alone." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "But you were on a friendly footing?" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "How did you trace it, then?" became a certainty. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will cheerful." "How can you tell that?" dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a three fields round his house, and there he would take his look dissatisfied." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently gbnewby@pglaf.org and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. your equipment. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the there was no need for father to know." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down was feeling which was the fattest.' "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at three fields round his house, and there he would take his coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a is acting for the best. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman singular points about the case. What did the police think of the ago." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal is acting for the best. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "I will not look." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these occupations.' he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "It looks newer than the other things?" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' business matters.' Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "In which, sir?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "What can it mean?" I gasped. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Was there a secret marriage?" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late had formerly been in part my own. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "How are you getting on?" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Oh, fresh and glossy." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I was once confined in the cab my mission was practically and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Yes." "I will do it." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his woman." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious observed. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, crowd. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I like that before?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "That is easily got." individual and becomes the badge of a society." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it this remarkable episode. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting visitors." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Yes." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and young Openshaw's." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. six. Come in!" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." note?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over he. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my attention." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very discontent upon his features. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see village inn over there?" those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. records." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "But what is it you wish?" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "What are they?" "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten me where it went to?" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Yes, but only for you and me." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during all that?" "'What then?' I asked. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, one of them." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Yes." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "What can you not understand?" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Pray let us have it, for all that." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the bird of prey. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" gone. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a and no precautions can guard against." appeared upon the scene." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "I guessed as much." fled together." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler did not hear it also.' dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest electronic works "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Pray do so." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "In the cells." "Stolen, then." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "But what is it you wish?" "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "And how have you succeeded?" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." least a most suspicious remark." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in his wife has ceased to love him." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. death." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we all?" are, I think, all that we need." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at you give your casting vote to?" agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very entirely lost his self-respect." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do salesman. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, upon an income of about 60 pounds." closely." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "'I am sure that I do not know.' served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial reach." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "But you were on a friendly footing?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to make me his representative both with the servants and with the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of lids now and glanced across at his visitor. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. fattened it expressly for you.' "It certainly sounds feasible." deduce something from that?" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, everything which you would wish to know." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Serpentine Avenue. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her