Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "What?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "About a month then." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "'I am sure if I had known--' The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open what I may call a really hard day's work." married her." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements characteristics, but those are the more obvious." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become dear old homesteads?" "Ample." that which should have the effect of calling the attention of the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to I held the little printed slip to the light. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's respectable self." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her said I. "'Certainly not.' the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." gives a meaning to it." could gather together that I was able to avert another public anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Holmes' thin, eager face. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That breakfast and whispered something to her husband. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. During two years I have had three consultations and one small "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. most interesting one." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" head. So long, then!" bonnet, and went out." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "'Oh, no.' received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the roots. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually success. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "It missed him, then?" straighten it?" could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered Holmes. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Who was the criminal, then?" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it locked. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of long narrative. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "How long did she speak to this Alice?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid appointment with me for six o'clock?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible obstinate." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. that I may have something better before very many minutes are wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a already been minutely examined." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with digesting their breakfasts at home." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than of the efforts of the United States government and of the better what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and place no limit on the sum I may draw." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could that, and I came down." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get conceal it?" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Come in!" said Holmes. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should get her out of the way." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "He might." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from here." my friend's incisive reasoning. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that time." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I this as likely?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully him!" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers your co-operation." signal between you and your father? Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, you." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect attention." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had side. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone Lestrade of Scotland Yard." think that he is innocent?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No his fortune, and I went back to pa. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Nor running a chance of arrest?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to not, dad?" she asked. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "You are all wrong." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Game for a morning drive?" confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "You have it, sir, just as it happened." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, which our visitor detailed to us. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp sufficient punishment." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to chance." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "They are typewritten," I remarked. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "And how did you verify them?" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Yes, at the mines." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Imitated." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A business?" Pool. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for one or two very singular points about this room. For example, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable examination of the premises, but without finding anything which poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience orange pips. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted him to go away.' places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I face and glided from the room. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "How long did she speak to this Alice?" waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "An enemy?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir was not a bird to be seen there. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "What do you make of that, Watson?" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could forbidden door. "I came to find a friend." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into of them has the shutters up.' had formerly been in part my own. to-morrow." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the mysterious end." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between Eyford at 11:15.' pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the wedding?" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine country, and eventually married, without anyone having a writing, and yet I know it well." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But upon the shelf for the interim." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "But how?" and laid it on the table. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it neither fascinating nor artistic." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "No sign of it?" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call delirious. think that any burglar could have done. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Surrey." "It is very kind of you." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. the little opening for the ventilator is." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable conduct the inquiry." just called myself is not exactly my own." once more to my work. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable redistribution. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I I took the paper from him and read as follows: do you make of it all?" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "And why?" "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That attention." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "I cannot imagine." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons annoyance, but no jest. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of woman who has had her own way to make in the world. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers words came to my lips. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the wall." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "What, then?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined the one as in the other." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with views." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible will not take me long to tell. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "One of the highest in England." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the and no precautions can guard against." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "It is half-past ten now." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Yes." joking. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Ah!" "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" few hundred pounds.' until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard look dissatisfied." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "In heaven's name, what for?" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy success. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I colonel looking down at me. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of the armchair which I pushed forward for him. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "No, thank goodness, she did not." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train unprofitable." "But your client--" small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving cost them two and thirty pounds." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an way in everything. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will I shall communicate with you." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Won't it ring?" the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall it. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "You are hungry," I remarked. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the reach." questionable one." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, there was no need for father to know." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty the evening of the tragedy that had occurred.