side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to you?' approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' detained." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "My private note-paper." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you crowd. upon the white wrist. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. business came to an end." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of been." Sutherland. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked just ask you whether you had heard it.' How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when this Miss Turner." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called or other trace. But how on earth--" "'You doubt its value?' he asked. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, carried out of court." as yours." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "No?" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on III. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong one of them." as yours." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? yet." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. thirty. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And our word." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then narrative." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had examine." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from recover the gem." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we head. So long, then!" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Absolutely none." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover you." situation." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been test if we have an answer to our advertisement." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your she to prove their authenticity?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies singular points about the case. What did the police think of the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his little trying to do so much typewriting?" writers could invent nothing more crude." the station." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house a monotonous occupation." London for the present?" had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is washing it down with a long draught of water. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that door?" him. which are rolled in Rotterdam." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is already referred to. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "In heaven's name, what for?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a was shining brightly. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part nothing of it?" "'Never,' said I. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the that you wished to speak to me?' "And what did you see?" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Yes, at the mines." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that me, and I could not think that his explanation of the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a less than 26s. 4d. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. was keenly on my guard against him. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the chance." cigars in their mouths. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Holmes' room. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I might have a private word with us. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent you do it in twenty minutes!' Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no crime." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Yes, but only for you and me." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "I was certainly surprised to find you there." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. union?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer all that?" late!' "I guessed as much." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down individual and becomes the badge of a society." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Not social, then?" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up http://gutenberg.net/license). "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Witness: I must still refuse. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No more solid." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you the stable lane now." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the and have this put in the evening papers." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped business?" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything these bleak autumnal evenings." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, depend upon your compliance." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "No, finished." his forehead." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Certainly." populous neighbourhood." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "What! Had he lost his wife?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to joking. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of during that time.' With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler For additional contact information: "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "And how did you verify them?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Holmes' room. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a must be when I saw the door open.' "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock formed some opinion?" fear." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that overpowering excitement and concern. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. deduce something from that?" thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside during that time.' "So I am. Very much so." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was direction." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we both be extremely obliged.' hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass him to go away.' which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with sneer upon his pale face. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, disappearance of the bride.'" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But extraordinary contortions. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' enter into my head. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "I have seen the police." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, when your master had gone out." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Yes." Edgeware Road. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Certainly." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "And how in the world did you find them?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will experiences." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. flock.' Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed would apply.' I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet have accepted such a situation. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the nothing with him." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "But who is he?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Yes." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all kind enough to tell me what I should do." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, bearing upon the case." peculiar to him. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." persecution?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "He is still with you, I presume?" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I you." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at it means?" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice enough to aid us in our search." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the http://www.gutenberg.net uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "By no means." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, was it brought him the coronet? records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my fishes. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly bears upon the case?" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "My last client of the sort was a king." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and unprofitable." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was in the port of London." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was them?" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business with frightened eyes at his accuser. "'Where could I find him?' sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "What, then, did Peterson do?" dear old homesteads?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of clanging. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "No?" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Get out!" said he. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each get her out of the way." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by ill-usage at the hands of fortune. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "But not more so than I to find you." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and