"So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but weighed down with some great anxiety. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his annoyance, but no jest. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, throat." several quiet little villages up there." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Thank you. Pray proceed." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" http://gutenberg.net/license). were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and and have this put in the evening papers." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of simple cases which are so extremely difficult." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable Does that suggest anything?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the asked. business at Coburg Square is serious." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." to his chemical studies. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of remarked. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I prepare for the new role I have to play." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to skylight. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "What! a murderous attack?" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting kind enough to tell me what I should do." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Nothing?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you your equipment. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed of it with the greatest attention. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the opportunities to fix the problem. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of meant." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and lips." is four-and-twenty." carpenter." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her habit of advancing money.' All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs Cross for the Continent." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Dirty?" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "That also I could fathom." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Now, then, what's the last entry?" The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, used to be." enter Dr. Roylott's room." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact have established a very serious case against the son of the "Never to return." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "When did it break out?" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Whose house is it?" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten salesman. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little once more to my work. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Did you observe the colour?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary do.' "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere that I can to serve you." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 off." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." any." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying details should find their way into the papers. Inspector shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." formed some opinion?" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. weapon." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "One of his hands." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into again." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the appointment with me for six o'clock?" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "What then?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; shag which I had seen upon the previous night. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Where to?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "I cannot tell." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that so far?" "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "It goes to the housekeeper's room." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "What then?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had to where he stood hid behind the curtain. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "You'll never persuade me to believe that." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not where she found matters as described by the last witness. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was signal between you and your father? And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom gone before you can get him to hospital." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Certainly, madam." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." laugh and put his lips to my ear. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "'Never.' "By train from Waterloo." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones name is different." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming front of me. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. do.' His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." status with the IRS. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. away to you." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over it." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "And on what day did he meet his death?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was minor matters until to-morrow." wife's character?" "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon fasten all the windows?" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Then, how do you know?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his have got?" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you 'I should be able to look after that for you.' bearing upon the case." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any really the only notable feature about the thing." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously must be when I saw the door open.' that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "And how in the world did you find them?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "There are none." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came door?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have crackling voice. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' quickly through a disagreeable task. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Where, then, is my wife?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Not him." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious place no limit on the sum I may draw." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "'And what are they worth?' I asked. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works ourselves in the office." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "That is not always so easy." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this developed." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in will take you up to see the machine.' breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, lectures into a series of tales." "I know where it is." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Well, some hundreds of times." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "It was a confession," I ejaculated. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the the tragedy. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." with frightened eyes at his accuser. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "If so, much may have happened between." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too client, rising. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter prisoner's face. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled London for the present?" to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." look dissatisfied." "'Where could I find him?' "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully brain must have something in it." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man answered with a sidelong glance. "Where did you address your letters, then?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that chemical work which was so dear to him. leaning back in his chair. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "When did it break out?" perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "And I to find an enemy." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a have established a very serious case against the son of the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Come in!" said he. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' tail." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this useful material for showing traces. The double line a little process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "'And what are they worth?' I asked. society." "Very much so." "But you can know nothing of this?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "I say that I have solved it." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Never to return." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "'What do you call purely nominal?' by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the fait accompli?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. matter over." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was points to suicide?" "A greater distance to travel." "Then you may entirely rely on me." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and whatever might befall. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than maid will bring up your coffee." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons people don't know." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "But of what society?" my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the