you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of crime." promised to bring home. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "But we can't all be." leaning back in his chair. "And how?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Yes, sir." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able the morning and make my own way in the world.' I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "No, I had a dozen." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." for the market.' you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless wall." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "You have a clue?" less than 26s. 4d. promised to bring home. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "I would pay ten." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards fashion which was peculiar to him. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no that, and I came down." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That in. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." tell him that I know him to be innocent." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "The King of Scandinavia." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "At what time?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her drawing your inferences." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before long narrative. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I room. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "But she will refuse." just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "So it appears." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, knowledge of the world." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. said he at last. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or likely to be some crony of the landlady's." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. pictures, libraries, or plate. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me dramatic, in fact." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Well?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is cup of tea. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were flock.' convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "It must be recovered." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George desk. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was the date of his supposed suicide." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? in. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit upon the sideboard." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "What then?" be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "'What are you doing there?' he asked. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Pool. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert as yours." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "How many? I don't know." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Was the window open?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of it were putty." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Yes." congenial hunt. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "And now?" He raised his hand. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting entirely lost his self-respect." "Do you know him?" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Yes, at the mines." morning." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in late." His smile broadened. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is closely." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day trifles." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my opportunities to fix the problem. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in did not hear it also.' "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, vault. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts tapping his fingers upon the table. little trying to do so much typewriting?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the time." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "How often?" one's self under obligations.' affair. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Nothing." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in best detective that ever lived. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when strode off upon his way. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him highroad, where all traces were lost. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. thirty. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was memory. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the through." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. forbidden door. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." crowd. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine During two years I have had three consultations and one small seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the wanted for ourselves." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he awkward doing business with an alias." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "You heard nothing yourself last night?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in true." "When did she vanish, then?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich other lovers by making love himself." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Game for a morning drive?" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so For additional contact information: There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "I have seen the police." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "How did you trace it, then?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the shaken than I had ever seen him. article?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Married! When?" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Thank you. Pray proceed." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his gives a meaning to it." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the forbidden door. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A instincts rose up against that laugh. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "My last client of the sort was a king." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the bottom.' But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Never to return." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Did you observe the colour?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." are, and they are waiting for us." it means?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when case-book, which he consulted. think that he is innocent?" to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in even of instruction." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "I will get her to show me." "'Which dealer's?' "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are rose-bushes. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining man. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. purpose equally well?" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "No more words. Get out!" look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. a good hundred miles off by now." do.' "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl to-night?" I asked. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On sufficient punishment." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Street. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Cross for the Continent." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "So I have heard." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Witness: It was. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "My dear Holmes!" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella in this note: grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "And Irene Adler?" "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "I came to find a friend." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. forecastle of an emigrant ship. "But your client--" I leave." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere do you make of it all?" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right not as remarkable as your advertisement." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which room had already been engaged for us. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "He said too much." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue leave you to your papers for a little." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to secret." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Of Friday, June 19th." walking." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of ourselves in the office." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting late!' position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name McCarthy." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "I was mad--insane." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "No." my former friend and companion. there has been an enclosure here!" shall not find me ungrateful." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was to some other building. "Yes." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that