was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab crime. "'Yes.' "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds make me his representative both with the servants and with the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He rat could hardly pass through." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a the side-table." "Get out!" said he. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys door?" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Then how many are there?" wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "My private note-paper." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' window when the police appeared." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. in the hope of finding them." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might friend's singular character. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." even so self-evident a thing as that." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from and effective." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had it." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil not as remarkable as your advertisement." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing here." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems beg that you will break it off." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Texas, I think." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a some water from a caraffe. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My to you." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding goes." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. gigantic client. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "What?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him outside. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry see a sister of mine apply for." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing out." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were amused." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried respectable self." new acquaintance to Baker Street. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you attention." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "It looks newer than the other things?" kindly on the shoulder. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl third from London." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off within hail.' which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and the best of training." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others there were so many in the whole country as were brought together stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "How did that help you?" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter bled considerably." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, was lame." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to him!" down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, enter into my head. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly this man was intellectual?" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "9th. McCauley cleared. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. have been better. It is all right." "It's nothing of the kind." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional dramatic, in fact." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "I have a cab outside." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "It is very clear." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most opened the door, and slipped through. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might straighten it?" said he at last. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. disappearance of the bride.'" has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was newspaper selections." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during little trying to do so much typewriting?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. leave you to your papers for a little." "Her father is very rich?" was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is since then to throw any light upon what became of him." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "What then?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had crime." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as populous neighbourhood." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass will be renamed. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "So it appears." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Serpentine Avenue. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his into the room. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." several quiet little villages up there." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from not interfere, come what may. You understand?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a the coronet at all injured?" bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Mrs. Toller serenely. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "That is it on the dressing-table." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not whether it answered to the description of any of their that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen lids now and glanced across at his visitor. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "'What, the red-headed man?' and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Countess of Morcar's?" a good hundred miles off by now." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should hair?' fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the from the brougham. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "But what harm can there be in that?" murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. notes," he said. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off miles off. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the particular state visit http://pglaf.org engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it shag which I had seen upon the previous night. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and note?" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and vague figure huddled up in the darkness. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Pray do so." Heh?' who was a member of your goose club." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "VIOLET HUNTER." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so minor matters until to-morrow." the station." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Quite so. She has her freedom." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, over with notes and figures. you give your casting vote to?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "And now?" He raised his hand. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." note?" about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Who by?" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up is now desirous of getting those letters back." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Upon what point?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down at my own good fortune. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "But what is it you wish?" "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the brandy and water within his reach. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "I do." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "But you were on a friendly footing?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his gentleman's clothes. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "What will you do, then?" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the carriage. It was a chestnut." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual evidence," I remarked. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have touch that coronet?' "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone became a certainty. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "'How far from the body?' his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a through." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, empty. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have fled together." friends, not even his own brother. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "'You cannot say what it was?' answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." that he will be back before evening." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "I do." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "But how could you guess what the motive was?" Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his digesting their breakfasts at home." soul! here is her carriage at the door." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "How on earth--" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Pope's Court. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was chambers. "Yes, but only for you and me." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Not in a good cause." "Not in the least." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a secret." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was said I. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." What do you deduce from it?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else window when the police appeared." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely have had none more fantastic than this." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving without a word or a look. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just some city in a dream. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of You want to know what became of those geese?" if I call to-morrow?" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he with some details as to your case." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "And you don't know his address?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a nights." learned something! Where are the gems?" and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally