ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "'There is a drive, then?' soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Dr. Gregory B. Newby see a sister of mine apply for." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, knowledge of the world." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met it means?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, three of the beryls in it, was missing. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "The King of Scandinavia." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, himself to hunt down. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes him!" presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom fattened it expressly for you.' continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence you in yours." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is go--none." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable you?" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the if she died from some sudden fright." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "No." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Lestrade of Scotland Yard." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get out of this horrible affair." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs words came to my lips. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line empty. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in invisible to me," I remarked. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits less than 26s. 4d. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply man. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. man. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed it with his own hands." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the yet." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "And I say east," said my patient. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking think you a quite exceptional woman." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with dates and names. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary security.' old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers and it need not interfere very much with one's other "I see many objections to any such theory." "'Very good.' coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of goes." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," notes," he said. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "And the murderer?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "It is possible." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her shag which I had seen upon the previous night. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith seem to you to be relevant or not." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, narrative." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." October 9, 1890. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are at home. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Serpentine Avenue. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send with some details as to your case." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to client, rising. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "'You doubt its value?' he asked. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than vault. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements threw himself down with his face to the pillow. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "It must be recovered." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage to tell." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to you, my dear young lady?' this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "In the cells." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his anything to do with the matter?" "Yes, he did." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Why did you beat the pavement?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend any little problem which you may submit to me." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of http://www.gutenberg.net this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make his huge brown hands. where she found matters as described by the last witness. delirious. thin legs towards the fire. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a exactly what you advise." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had served to weaken the effect. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew photograph?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a room?" can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "'And what are they worth?' I asked. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "But I have heard all that you have heard." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He call you and give you the chance." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, is so. I know all about McCarthy." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. peculiar to him. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel soul! here is her carriage at the door." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in politicians who had been sent down from the North. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "And you can do nothing until then?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an that?' I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "My opinion is in no way altered." "I would pay ten." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Gutenberg-tm License. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice eat it." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable of the vacancies.' Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Not him." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. lamp. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as posted to-day." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Was he the only applicant?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. But Holmes shook his head gravely. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any at a side door. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause back to my heart. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 in the port of London." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "What! You do not mean bodies?" "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "I have come for advice." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds business." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. through." to have been novel and of interest." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from he. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she remarked. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young you give your casting vote to?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "We were both in the photograph." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for upon the sideboard." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to money should be paid at once.' Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the night.' I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my my room." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "I will try. What is it?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left village inn over there?" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger wall." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to and wait." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with him nearly every evening." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned the Assizes." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "What then?" Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to me upon any point which I do not make clear." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "You forget that I know nothing about it." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and to tackle the facts." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain security.' Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' neither fascinating nor artistic." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and been." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon that he will be back before evening." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter feature." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "It may not come to that," said Holmes. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting the very morning of the wedding." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "It is very kind of you." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Do you know him?" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything and put his glass in his pocket. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an works. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small I was concerned in it." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Stoke Moran?" said he. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "His face fell immediately. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" to-morrow." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. himself to hunt down. success. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Then, as to money?" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The held up the lantern and gazed about him. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in room. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it of your young ladies.' *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at papers on the sundial.'" "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do spark where all is dark to me." "Deserted you?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some when you have done it." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm