'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the chemical work which was so dear to him. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. the nursery. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Have you it here?" furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an your own bird, so if you wish--" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "And you can do nothing until then?" "But I have heard all that you have heard." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? your sleep?' Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Edgeware Road. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to for securing the situation." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece wedding?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Ah!" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the delighted to hear it," he said. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as awkward doing business with an alias." "You have the photograph?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Pray be precise as to details," said he. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Yes, he did." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy this as likely?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the point in the dark hollow of his hand. "I shall be delighted." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it papers must be those that are destroyed.' refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into it. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "'Certainly,' I answered. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "The landlord of the Alpha." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the handed it to him. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his way: roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Ah!" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the hands. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a until night should bring an explanation. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a neither fascinating nor artistic." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and whatever might befall. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "To an end?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms The events in question occurred in the early days of my get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." depend upon your compliance." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "That is easily got." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have when your master had gone out." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was later, upon the night of May 2nd." key of the affair now." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a conduct the inquiry." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that situation." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who photograph?" your billet.' 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "That sounds a little paradoxical." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for your bag." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "That was it, sir." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I less than 26s. 4d. "I have a cab outside." unprecedented a position." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly bedroom door." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I ordinary clothes on?" Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I forbidden door. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Proceed, then." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a The note was undated, and without either signature or address. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. you." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "'I am sure that I do not know.' light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as copied or distributed: "'About the same.' "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." tension within him. the matter?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make be. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the fait accompli?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always way in." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too American. Then who could this American be, and why should he give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "'Very good.' however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in fattened it expressly for you.' prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster for securing the situation." his huge brown hands. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his had no one to advise her at such a crisis." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the awaited us upon the table. the King without delay." gone. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a digesting their breakfasts at home." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "But it has twice been burgled." "No, finished." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of clang of the bell. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not drawing your inferences." "The best possible." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "On the contrary, this is the right side." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Which surely he restored to their owner?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he enter into my head. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Always." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport keep the flames under. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our kindly on the shoulder. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "What, then, did Peterson do?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his overpowering excitement and concern. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Then he might have called to you?" his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, definite end. "And that is--" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "I never have." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that you." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice only touch the interest." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my the running down." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' wanted for ourselves." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "My opinion is in no way altered." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "'Very good.' other, as fresh and trim as possible. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these my secret was safe in his possession. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "You horrify me!" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that Does that suggest anything?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But evidence," I remarked. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Holmes' thin, eager face. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates and inquire as to the address." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking the south-west, I see." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. least a fellow-countryman. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg What do you deduce from it?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "And how did he make his money?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous to-night?" I asked. behind me. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they passage and a tap at the door. friend's singular character. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" here and I will read it to you: in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "'I am sure if I had known--' set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 should be taken.' was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which this unhappy family?" side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to where we are going." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's generous with you in money matters.' For additional contact information: "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his said I. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "But not more so than I to find you." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my been deceived." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It the very morning of the wedding." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the get her out of the way." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly foresight and the moral retrogression?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "In which, sir?" dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel shall use the carriage to-night." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "I cannot say that I have." there when the Rucastles went away." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "No legal papers or certificates?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in deduce something from that?" to arrive at through this?" "Yes, certainly." and the church but not where the lady lived." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "None. Neville wrote those words." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Deserted you?" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been gentleman's clothes. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle