the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of could not have written that. It is the German who is so back into the street. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were coroner's jury." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which directors, with the result that you have seen." "What is it?" stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "You have the photograph?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Then I am your man." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "'And the work?' classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here vague figure huddled up in the darkness. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was with some details as to your case." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my we went to search for him, face downward in a little occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and brandy and water within his reach. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't daring than any effort of the imagination." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "No good news?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "To an end?" Cross for the Continent." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. been." point in the dark hollow of his hand. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four place no limit on the sum I may draw." what I may call a really hard day's work." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under have established a very serious case against the son of the and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave chambers. "It is possible." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is his fortune, and I went back to pa. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "'A dozen yards or so.' forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind wanted for ourselves." "I never have." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not your co-operation." and it need not interfere very much with one's other "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He congratulate you again." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing read over the extraordinary announcement. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "No, I am descending." "It is no ordinary one." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and papers." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where helping a boy to put up the shutters. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in respectable self." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "An accident, I presume?" Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Not I." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I at my own good fortune. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "'Yes.' fat-encircled eyes. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the despair." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been examine." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the a little more before I quite committed myself. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this been anything against him. He had for years been known as a first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his important." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "It is possible." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Well." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever province." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped she used." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Did he not advertise?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "But to whom?" in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give passage and a tap at the door. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of might help us?" "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his ran thus: impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per good-night and bustled off upon her way. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which stammered. washing it down with a long draught of water. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. particular state visit http://pglaf.org "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the becomes even more simple." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. think that he is innocent?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Seven!" I answered. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "And I say east," said my patient. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "'What would be the hours?' I asked. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Dr. Gregory B. Newby "From his hat?" "'Oh, no.' thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of to tackle the facts." "'Is purely nominal.' congratulate you again." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the highly," said Holmes. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. death." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a closing the door. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I six. Come in!" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "No legal papers or certificates?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings hurried away. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, with some details as to your case." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." McCarthy's innocence. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Doctor, of the paper and the date." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That upon the sideboard." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I triumphant cloud from his cigarette. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "And how have you succeeded?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go posted to-day." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We wedding?" "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we little trying to do so much typewriting?" allusion to a rat. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have you?' locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal have I gained?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "And on what day did he meet his death?" thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The away into the river." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Her father is very rich?" the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a the room while you explain this matter?" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would companion. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Lee, in the county of Kent." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office could not have written that. It is the German who is so called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank rat could hardly pass through." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of fear." His smile broadened. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. to that open window." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a there has been an enclosure here!" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled minor matters until to-morrow." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Who was the criminal, then?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "This photograph!" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you fled together." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I disappearance of the bride.'" shaken than I had ever seen him. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "On your arm?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged frequently gained my first real insight into the character of at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Pool. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "It is a murder, then?" the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "You horrify me." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather official police." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the have got?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a again before evening." records." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set call for protection in the marriage market, for the present 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "You have a clue?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it maiden herself was most instructive." "Never." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the or other trace. But how on earth--" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or noble correspondent could be. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "What are they?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think round with crates and massive boxes. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Yes." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "That is possible." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should Farm upon the left." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was kindly on the shoulder. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "It is a murder, then?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "My own seal." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we 1.E.9. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy which I could not give. He asked for Alice. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was