impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. than was visible to me." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off house for five minutes.' "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "I beg pardon." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the enter Dr. Roylott's room." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Then, as to money?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Your French gold?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are the devil!" must be when I saw the door open.' fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable and wait." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. at my own good fortune. least a fellow-countryman. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she not personally threatened." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "'You doubt its value?' he asked. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the when you have done it." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read delirious. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place him nearly every evening." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "But I have heard all that you have heard." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in you?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which likely to be some crony of the landlady's." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain this as likely?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it writers could invent nothing more crude." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" the south-west, I see." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off that threaten you." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached I. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had nonsense.' colour had been driven from his face. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Why serious?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice shag which I had seen upon the previous night. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." row." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Nothing." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before to take care of herself." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few some terrible trap for her." entirely devoid of interest." "Can I be of assistance?" has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a cigars in their mouths. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "You don't mind breaking the law?" as this. Pray let me have the details." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "I am about to be married." is now desirous of getting those letters back." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Sholtos." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "What I expected to see." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. was it brought him the coronet? Again Holmes raved in the air. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it washing it down with a long draught of water. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "I have seen the police." matter over." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, followed. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "She showed me, as I told you she would." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, empty. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. introspective fashion. enough to aid us in our search." "My dear Holmes!" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "I am still in the dark." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a gbnewby@pglaf.org elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Never to return." "Look there!" said he. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Your sister is dead, then?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel of campaign. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "'Yes, it was gone.' going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "What then?" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies as yours." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the very old mansion. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without morning." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to strength of mind to control. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "He said that you could solve anything." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. three of the beryls in it, was missing. "And how did you verify them?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "That is easily got." "That is it on the dressing-table." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, even so self-evident a thing as that." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met see me here to avoid scandal." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "It missed him, then?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is recall any case within my experience which looked at the first steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? figure." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned acted in my house last night?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what of note-paper. It read in this fashion: unprofitable." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "'Very good.' from you?" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of if she died from some sudden fright." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found true." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Why serious?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, putting in the horse. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "What can it mean?" I gasped. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "How did you deduce the select?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Married! When?" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her who was a member of your goose club." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without six. Come in!" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. British peeress.'" be there in time for your coming." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "How often?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "You think so, too?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "No." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H at a side door. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would respectable self." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the developed." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate of them has the shutters up.' father's place of business?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to conclusions. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the bled considerably." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such it means?" "I don't say that. Perhaps." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a electronic works footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to certainly not very gracious." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of appeal." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Never." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily what these perils are?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps waste of energy." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Which surely he restored to their owner?" manager. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "You horrify me." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "My stepfather's business papers." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Your sister is dead, then?" village inn over there?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Heh?' "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "It is a murder, then?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Then you may be so with me." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office them?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive companion quietly. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so matter." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "And Miss Sutherland?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "And is that all?" to tell." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "It is true that I have been generally successful." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "So it appears." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the you, my dear young lady?' "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that delirious. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "I see no marks." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those there in twenty minutes." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set lids now and glanced across at his visitor. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "It is his hat." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that the King without delay." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father get the tickets." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a disturbance in my wife." gone. believe that I should never have any practice at all. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended here and I will read it to you: your only hope of safety." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming deduce something from that?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire the loss of it. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and seem to you to be relevant or not." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." your equipment. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have ordinary clothes on?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while bearing upon the case." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not McCarthy." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." call you and give you the chance." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a prove to be little relation between the different incidents of pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen an introduction to him?" rat could hardly pass through." "I cannot as yet see any connection." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, said I. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do