painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler which was all perfectly true. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "How are you getting on?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I handed it to him. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open correct than the official force." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by beg that you will break it off." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little instincts rose up against that laugh. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "And how?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Certainly." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and easy-going way." interest. They are important, you understand, without being six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black Stoke Moran." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, public press." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. British peeress.'" electronic works results." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an enter Dr. Roylott's room." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "But what will you do?" "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property three of the beryls in it, was missing. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. I nodded again. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Where does the thing come from?' before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of presented which may be striking and bizarre without being certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present was it brought him the coronet? one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one front of the hall door has given its name to the place. beyond words. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, and a shock of very red hair. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Pray do so." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge invisible to me," I remarked. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "What of the rat, then?" but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very the date of his supposed suicide." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" business came to an end." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook writers could invent nothing more crude." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." problems help me to do so." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we Cross for the Continent." "And you can do nothing until then?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Yes." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, ourselves in the office." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "No, I had a dozen." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "By no means." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten official police." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at yourselves in at night?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is married her." was a lad." security.' "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "The murder was done with it." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from that?' was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "In answer to an advertisement." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "At what time?" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong it." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Ample." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Nothing." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that next day. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some shoulder; "he's all right." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, questioning and rather startled gaze. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "But what will you do?" The summons was a brief and urgent one. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped have been better. It is all right." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Precisely." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "'Yes, it was gone.' hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Upon what point?" and the church but not where the lady lived." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it key turn in the lock." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain really the only notable feature about the thing." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was the Assizes." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very not interfere, come what may. You understand?" the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban shaken than I had ever seen him. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." within hail.' while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in the coroner come to?" side. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "No." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "In which, sir?" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every been lifted and conveyed somewhere." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, go back?" "Yes, from Horsham." "Who by?" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that helping a boy to put up the shutters. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Eyford." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would up this clue while it is still hot." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by thin legs towards the fire. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," The note was undated, and without either signature or address. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish sneer upon his pale face. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled ready to-morrow?' registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Where, then?" himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Where is it, then?" horse could go." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in to affect your life." get the tickets." national property. I was determined that the law should have its which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Have you good authority for what you say?" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining opened the door, and slipped through. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less from you?" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography them?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Thank you. Pray proceed." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "I came to find a friend." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. nonsense.' jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion anything to do with the matter?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a mystery may be cleared along those lines." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he and the whole place is in a blaze." your co-operation." comes from the middle window." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right of your young ladies.' the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a point in the dark hollow of his hand. one of them." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. happened." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. upon the sideboard." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. guilty one." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there your most interesting statement." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. not, dad?" she asked. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further me have 200 pounds?' My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "'Then let me do so?' you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could walking." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of forehead. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She to take care of herself." "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an for its centre. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Witness: It was. that you can jump it.' "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "'Very good.' moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "She told me to ask you." "Dr. Becher's." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman to where he stood hid behind the curtain. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "What then?" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "But I am all in the dark." "Did you observe the colour?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the meanly of me." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. what I may call a really hard day's work." "And Irene Adler?" his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the man. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "About a month then." case-book, which he consulted. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That child?' "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the your bag." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which upon the white wrist. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is used to be." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the flock.' new duties?' "My opinion is in no way altered." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic death." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Nothing?" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" ran thus: up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the