somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "By all means." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "'Why that?' I asks. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Dark enough and sinister enough." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and night.' said he. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to than to us. tell them apart.' landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Pray do so." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "And you thought he was pulled back?" "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "But I am all in the dark." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is Street. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you perplexity from it to my illustrious client. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for have established a very serious case against the son of the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be discontent upon his features. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold down from London to inquire more deeply into it." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Does that suggest anything?" such attractions and accomplishments?' individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Absolutely?" in a very precise fashion." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Nothing?" of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Where, indeed?" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." sufficient punishment." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "The vanishing of the lady." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the matter?" "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "'Ample.' "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the this Miss Turner." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders your sleep?' married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous crime." in this note: clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress all-comprehensive glances. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "And I to find an enemy." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the future lives." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "At the wedding breakfast." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "So I heard. You have him here?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of corner of the building. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." where we are going." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Yes. He waved his hands." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "There is the writing." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" where she found matters as described by the last witness. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything certainly not very gracious." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" during that time.' his knees, staring into the fire. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking I leave." hand, madam?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Serpentine Avenue. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "I am about to be married." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "By all means." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated compunction about shooting them down." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had troubles have been weighing upon his mind. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all and laid it on the table. chamber." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question call the police, let the police find what they can.' "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "What I expected to see." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by situation." "None." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then ways including including checks, online payments and credit card door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "'Not at all. I only doubt--' of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." away to you." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who heavy and sharp instrument." cigars in the box." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Absolutely none." breakfast?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "No bad?" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from miles off. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Never." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On events than those which have happened in my own family." the stable lane now." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is again on its way. several quiet little villages up there." train.' beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. than to us. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his gbnewby@pglaf.org "Yes." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of despair." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an experiences." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that silent! Oh, he will be silent!' Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "I have come for advice." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Countess of Morcar's?" long narrative. there is a decided draught." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had very old mansion. works. See paragraph 1.E below. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! window when the police appeared." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "But the mystery?" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "It was an hour's good drive." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." call the police, let the police find what they can.' Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "How do you know, then?" occurred." "And you thought he was pulled back?" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so time." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot national property. I was determined that the law should have its total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little this man was intellectual?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean intrusion of other matters." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell that "Oh, the cause is excellent!" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always that you saw all that I did." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the the window, rose as we entered. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch house for five minutes.' And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the least a fellow-countryman. until night should bring an explanation. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Of Friday, June 19th." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. key of the affair now." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My brandy and water within his reach. Mrs. Toller serenely. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "My last client of the sort was a king." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and believe that I should never have any practice at all. signal between you and your father? "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "That is easily got." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking if she died from some sudden fright." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were completely overtopped every other consideration that we both evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to hair?' my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Have you her photograph?" had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Yes, it would be as well." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "To an end?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "He disappeared so suddenly." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Which are?" "I have come for advice." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his fled together." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to mystery may be cleared along those lines." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must to have that photograph." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very thin legs towards the fire. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "I cannot imagine." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." very morning of my second wedding." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias down. "Certainly." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "It was a confession," I ejaculated. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great awkward doing business with an alias." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots was lame." a very grave face. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Eh? What was that?" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my DISSOLVED. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Never." "'Yes.' them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, derbies." sufficient punishment." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to to have that photograph." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "It is very kind of you." "Yes, I have one waiting." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may before the coroner and the police-court." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "But his left-handedness." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." the date of his supposed suicide." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed not use it unless it is absolutely needed." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" coroner's jury." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence."