"'And what are they worth?' I asked. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I enough to aid us in our search." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my never came back." breakfast." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder are, I think, all that we need." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a events, Mr. Windibank!" great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind here and I will read it to you: front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." events than those which have happened in my own family." despair." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "And the cigar-holder?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name this Miss Turner." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked was keenly on my guard against him. "I should be immensely obliged to you." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the outsides of the windows. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small gentleman's clothes. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing than to us. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman purpose of examination. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an bonnet, and went out." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his your most interesting statement." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and that the gas is not laid on in his house?" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he carriage. It was a chestnut." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for right! Sit down and let us talk it over." man. I know him from the photograph." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that have had none more fantastic than this." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the you, my dear young lady?' "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the invisible to me," I remarked. this man was intellectual?" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard the date of his supposed suicide." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "And why?" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give chair. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. take the flies, but not before." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my but preventing her from injuring another. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our to go into your room and bar your shutters?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police to-night." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from records." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "'As governess?' address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Do you go out much in society?" "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion I nodded again. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a six. Come in!" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than four million human beings all jostling each other within the her also." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Pope's Court, Fleet Street." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "And the cigar-holder?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He forebodings. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "At what time?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three point our research must commence, and we will begin it by have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Who by?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the his face. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the You want to know what became of those geese?" pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the you." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Very. But will he see it?" go back?" already referred to. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given and that he would see to anything that turned up. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek help us in this matter." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than you found me to-night--and running through the front room she All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Perfectly so." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than something of him before." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Well?" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "And the cigar-holder?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes not personally threatened." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I have established a very serious case against the son of the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her quick march!" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Yes, he did." the date of his supposed suicide." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Perfectly so." This is what he says: of Mr. Rucastle's." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only interested in these little problems, and since you are good quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for strong and stiff." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have whole matter to your consideration." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Where, indeed?" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Nothing." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort chair. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the think that he is innocent?" hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for electronic works great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should Holmes." DISSOLVED. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Perhaps we may make them less so." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. purpose of examination. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on power." your troubles." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Lee, in the county of Kent." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "What, then, did Peterson do?" the roots. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the once more. "Murdered?" "'Yes, sir.' "Yes, from Horsham." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the coroner's jury." speckled band?" practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "What is it, then--a fire?" was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business sofa. This way, please!" My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the I. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a joking. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and easy-going way." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." absorbing." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "10th. John Swain cleared. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "'Which dealer's?' where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "So it appears." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish companion imperturbably. "Is he quiet?" Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "But your client--" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." persecution?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be good-night and bustled off upon her way. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of compunction about shooting them down." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "But how?" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the closing the door. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "And now?" He raised his hand. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body bare slabs of marble. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." whatever might befall. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, unkempt, staring out at me. laugh and put his lips to my ear. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. evidence," I remarked. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' interests were the same as his." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "What steps will you take?" I asked. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and details." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "No bad?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you definite end. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own could go. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to the inquest, and which are worth considering." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near said he, "my real name is James Ryder." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, forehead. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "The gentleman I describe." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a lids now and glanced across at his visitor. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too that before taking the final step I should like to submit the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Munro.' "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to congenial hunt. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible it." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted foot. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "My stepfather's business papers." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "But what is it you wish?" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post as the one I chose?' see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter unclasping of his long thin hands. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Chief Executive and Director maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, to that open window."