of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was Countess of Morcar's?" the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great his eyes and forehead. tension within him. figure." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "They are typewritten," I remarked. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than her also." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "No more words. Get out!" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came fait accompli?" saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "No, my brougham is waiting." speckled band?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Gutenberg-tm License. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed strode off upon his way. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "No." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into asked with his eyes open. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "That is also quite modern," said the lady. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a there in twenty minutes." "On the contrary, this is the right side." experiences." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You and put his glass in his pocket. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "But how did you gain them?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else we went to search for him, face downward in a little severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for asked. and all of them with the keenest interest. digesting their breakfasts at home." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth tied." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his that you saw all that I did." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we depend upon your compliance." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you business came to an end." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, would apply.' The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this eavesdroppers?' which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a observed. soul! here is her carriage at the door." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. his fortune, and I went back to pa. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Certainly." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason weigh very heavily upon my conscience." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "We have tried and failed." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is keep the flames under. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and delighted to hear it," he said. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who simple cases which are so extremely difficult." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut lamp. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the astonishment. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted humiliation." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is highly," said Holmes. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake went to the Alpha were town bred." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and frequently gained my first real insight into the character of bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which will take you up to see the machine.' however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any intrusion of other matters." do you make of it all?" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards stood on the top of it. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "And Miss Sutherland?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The ill-usage at the hands of fortune. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Where, then, is my wife?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "'About the same.' "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Pray tell us what has happened to you." what is your own theory as to what took place?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Dr. Gregory B. Newby Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "I saw her in conversation with her maid." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I face and glided from the room. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his occupations.' "You horrify me." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, closing the door. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Stoke Moran." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a garden below. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will in this way: down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our highroad, where all traces were lost. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "What will you say?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. discontent upon his features. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a that the gas is not laid on in his house?" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "But who is he?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove you in yours." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Not particularly." remarked. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I along the entire front of the house, with three long windows he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not with some details as to your case." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Only as much as we can deduce." "It is solved." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "You have a clue?" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came will find little credit to be gained out of this case." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "One of his hands." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he details." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely Sholtos." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life which we had just quitted. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my do.' ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have there has been an enclosure here!" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. his fortune, and I went back to pa. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "And that is--" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, again before evening." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her in the port of London." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, I shall continue with my miserable story. "But his lameness?" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of your equipment. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "He is still with you, I presume?" works. "Yes, the wine-cellar." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "And Irene Adler?" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "None. Neville wrote those words." have had none more fantastic than this." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "'Yes, sir.' excitement. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "You did not overhear what they said?" despair." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the But Holmes shook his head gravely. "I will not look." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his him." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow presume?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little too. mysterious end." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "What can it mean?" I gasped. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the ready to-morrow?' I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue could not have written that. It is the German who is so why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Then I shall certainly come." "And you can do nothing until then?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting knowledge of the world." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Munro.' "'Very good.' We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "And how did he make his money?" Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still married her." congenial hunt. you." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to said I. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it standing smiling on the door-step. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down matter." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am how narrow had been my escape. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales the stones. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." should be taken.' "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "On the contrary, this is the right side." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for one or two very singular points about this room. For example, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding present." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some the side-table." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, followed. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Only as much as we can deduce." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or child?' "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," was a lad." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing an introduction to him?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in