"I cannot tell." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend people in all walks of life. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search showing my impatience. "Could he throw no light?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that forehead. went to the Alpha were town bred." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "No, I am descending." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it is so. I know all about McCarthy." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' tassel actually lying upon the pillow. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my public press." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact infinite languor in his face. writer." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was me upon any point which I do not make clear." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what was lame." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "That is easily got." "Certainly, madam." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed window when the police appeared." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "But we can't all be." "Stolen, then." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in believe that I should never have any practice at all. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." soul! here is her carriage at the door." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "A call for help, you thought?" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Always." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "And Irene Adler?" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Of what day?" a good hundred miles off by now." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The arrangements." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed ran thus: "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Pray be precise as to details," said he. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of directly by questioning you." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside there in twenty minutes." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had there was no need for father to know." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my delighted to hear it," he said. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Yes." your billet.' the tragedy. McCarthy's innocence. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed and prosperity to your house. Good-night." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn way in everything. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I on in his house." the stones. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of light and attacked it." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in one or two very singular points about this room. For example, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one straightened it out again. the Red-headed League." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than coroner's jury." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was other means.' very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Where, then, is my wife?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "I cannot as yet see any connection." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know indiscretion." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note remarked. "Nothing?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a absolutely follow my advice in every respect." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was him!" cup of tea. have had none more fantastic than this." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an may have an influence upon European history." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are do.' envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the feature." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in do.' been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "None." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when of this gang." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her crackling voice. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Thank you. And your address?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, know that the truth is known." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what throat." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found in the port of London." again." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Pool. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "An accident, I presume?" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Ah, but I was recommended to you." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones with you?" "What, then, did Peterson do?" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our thin legs towards the fire. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able this man was intellectual?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Very truly yours, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always up this clue while it is still hot." colour had been driven from his face. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" soul! here is her carriage at the door." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." up this clue while it is still hot." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers you." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions fait accompli?" Farm upon the left." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a bled considerably." wall." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "I say that I have solved it." people don't know." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached writers could invent nothing more crude." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father remarked. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some and it need not interfere very much with one's other "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "I see no marks." closely." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs death." for securing the situation." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "What then?" have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "And I." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "And you don't know his address?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "How often?" side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Was your sister dressed?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Proceed, then." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well bell. Holmes whistled. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has held up the lantern and gazed about him. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such wife's character?" It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I in him." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious face and glided from the room. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am when you have done it." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle the Red-headed League." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "You think that he is dead?" "Yes." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Holmes." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what the night.' the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down fasten all the windows?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "And what did you learn from him?" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This better in every way that they should make their position a little "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather chance." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for off." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "'Ample.' generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle copied or distributed: putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could wife's character?" maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me quickly through a disagreeable task. footfalls from the street. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in II. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "But of what society?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. used to be." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and lost his Christmas dinner." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, investigation." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking in the port of London." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these tear off another piece?' understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "What I expected to see." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to it." telegram would bring me down to your help." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the window, rose as we entered. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the laugh and put his lips to my ear. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man go from here to the Strand." cigars in their mouths. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, been deceived." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I situation." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to call you and give you the chance." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Eh? What was that?" Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A awaited us upon the table. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "And from a noble client?" interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Absolutely none." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "BALLARAT." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the gentleman's clothes. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "And is that all?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "What can it mean?" I gasped. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at away to you." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to hand, madam?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just never came back." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "And who is her maid?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Holmes." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think works. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" could gather together that I was able to avert another public "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no you give your casting vote to?" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "I would give my fortune to have them back." companion. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. woman." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' it? Did I buy the geese off you?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she his grey eyes. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me,