his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "But to whom?" course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not been with you?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my address. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect you." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Do you go out much in society?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Have you it here?" moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Where, then?" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. chance at all." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "How do you know, then?" "Then you may be so with me." "And from a noble client?" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. lost nothing by them." "Stoke Moran?" said he. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this you do it in twenty minutes!' him!" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "An accident, I presume?" definite end. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Yes, but only for you and me." must compliment you." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see and put his glass in his pocket. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with interests were the same as his." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever upon the white wrist. "I think it very unlikely." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Perhaps I have." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." forehead. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Which are?" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes locked." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "'Most admirably.' fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he he died? room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "'Certainly not.' from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of evidence," I remarked. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident in your London, you will know that the office of the company is perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch could not account in any way for the presence of the missing came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her advice." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that least a fellow-countryman. "'Stolen!' he cried. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw plantation.' maiden herself was most instructive." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Nothing?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. DISSOLVED. "In San Francisco, a year ago." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know fish-monger and a tide-waiter." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest minor matters until to-morrow." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "'Which dealer's?' where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in held up the lantern and gazed about him. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It fact, we may call it conclusive." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "To ruin me." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, one which it was hard to resist. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "You are hungry," I remarked. danger is over." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "What then?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of definite end. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took to you." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the one's self under obligations.' hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside skylight. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "I was afraid that you were engaged." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a it. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification in a friendly supper." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "And the murderer?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" there in twenty minutes." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was into the bag, and made for the door. 1.E.9. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom out of this horrible affair." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been dear old homesteads?" depend upon my doing so.' too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind just ask you whether you had heard it.' with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project with frightened eyes at his accuser. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "But you can know nothing of this?" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "To the police?" about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival the so-precious time, but come!' main points of my analysis." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be to go into your room and bar your shutters?" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some himself in a perplexing position. whatever might befall. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay during that time.' recover the gem." and the whole place is in a blaze." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking said he. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "It is true that I have been generally successful." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "I was afraid that you were engaged." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "There are none." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, went to the Alpha were town bred." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Did he not advertise?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to nothing of it?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" bears upon the case?" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "And you thought he was pulled back?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting walking." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "I don't say that. Perhaps." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as young Openshaw's." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very him to go away.' I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "It was a confession," I ejaculated. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and the iron safe, which he closed upon it. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting something of him before." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips she to prove their authenticity?" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the forebodings. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have the one as in the other." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. particular state visit http://pglaf.org it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, to-night?' "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I man. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off charge against him will break down." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to house for five minutes.' that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very girl said." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he without a word or a look. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "No?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." thought that she would have been so carried away." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "What then?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "To an English lawyer named Norton." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "I never have." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock beyond words. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." people in all walks of life. call it cruel." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Not in the least." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few the best of training." footfalls from the street. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just crime. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, believe that I should never have any practice at all. "In which, sir?" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Yes, sir." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the hard-headed British jury." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "What steps will you take?" I asked. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Yes." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "And leave your case unfinished?" The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows the address that was given us in the advertisement. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a copied or distributed: detained." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to walking." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "They are typewritten," I remarked. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "'And the work?' myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I and a shock of very red hair. IS the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was down from London to inquire more deeply into it." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the stones. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. gives a meaning to it." only touch the interest." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Yes, it was twisted." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." better in every way that they should make their position a little knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking