"Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: know that the truth is known." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Married! When?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "And the cigar-holder?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "And how did he make his money?" that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only very old mansion. bachelor.' "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." to-night?' tension within him. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left some city in a dream. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Did he not advertise?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. to take care of herself." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he relief. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Pray do so." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as over part of the map. "What do you read?" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of not within a twentieth part of the market price." had this final quarrel? pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "It looks newer than the other things?" "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the the inquest, and which are worth considering." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the tapping his fingers upon the table. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would The note was undated, and without either signature or address. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." meanly of me." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that noise which awoke you from your sleep?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of seven miles from Eyford Station.' its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Your French gold?" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, friends, not even his own brother. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, in the hope of finding them." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident about. weighed down with some great anxiety. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very hurried away. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Yes, sir." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must interest. They are important, you understand, without being slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in trifles." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "'Yes, I promise.' chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Then, how do you know?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a made him keep the appointment." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "She will not sell." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "What! You do not mean bodies?" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Who by?" late." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, compunction about shooting them down." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what province." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "I am to be neutral?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his heavy and sharp instrument." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Of what?" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her excitement. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Absolutely none." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Yes, only one." "How are you getting on?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are touch that coronet?' more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his help us in this matter." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "ARAT," I read. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" most interesting one." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable his grey eyes. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "How did that help you?" fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and cheerful." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a disturbance in my wife." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, the bed, and you in that chair." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Lee, in the county of Kent." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his be best to do. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I completely overtopped every other consideration that we both front of the hall door has given its name to the place. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Then you may be so with me." was keenly on my guard against him. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Edgeware Road. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his in this way: lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "And what then?" "How about poison?" answered with a sidelong glance. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Pool. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "'What do you call purely nominal?' wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left their singular warning or token before them when starting upon the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still that you saw all that I did." and the colonel ushered me in. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "I cannot tell." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you results." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival of." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of the driver. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such the running down." "I say it is." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, orange pips. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 purpose of examination. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the was it brought him the coronet? the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my visitors." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, envelope. quite distinctive." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had address. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "What is it?" Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Why did you pick him?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, the roots. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the very morning of my second wedding." "Why did you beat the pavement?" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very call it cruel." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has nonsense.' astonishment. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Oh, fresh and glossy." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "It's nothing of the kind." "There are none." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a Countess of Morcar's?" black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in that there was nothing in it, after all." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened this as likely?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "'A dozen yards or so.' wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the stalked out of the room. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be of it with the greatest attention. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an begin with, and I had not got mine yet." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable I leave." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: fashion which was peculiar to him. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "I promise," said Holmes. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the nothing with him." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common fear." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Certainly." that threaten you." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible directors, with the result that you have seen." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." not fit the lock." "How are you getting on?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and astonishment. towards the blaze. suspect him." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "That is also quite modern," said the lady. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get miles off. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the matter over." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your there is a decided draught." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, if she died from some sudden fright." new acquaintance to Baker Street. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "I have solved it." should be so warm over such a trifle." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "What of the rat, then?" there was no need for father to know." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." formed some opinion?" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his you do it in twenty minutes!' her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had