have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "How did you deduce the select?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He closing the door. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "What! Had he lost his wife?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "He said too much." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I call the police, let the police find what they can.' jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "And who is her maid?" status with the IRS. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and spare." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "9th. McCauley cleared. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "In what way?" asked Holmes. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue her also." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Oh, yes, easily." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and child?' began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "You horrify me." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "No. What a strange idea!" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "What will you do, then?" "Come in!" said Holmes. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "And on what day did he meet his death?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. him nearly every evening." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "But what will you do?" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep strong reason behind." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life opportunities to fix the problem. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with the warnings." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to nonsense.' truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, heavily into it. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the deduce something from that?" shall use the carriage to-night." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "What! You do not mean bodies?" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if for securing the situation." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was walking." been with you?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common it." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Perhaps I have." posted to-day." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my thirty. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "No bad?" "But we can't all be." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our intrusion of other matters." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but front of the hall door has given its name to the place. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, Miss Holder?" question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "That's no good." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a points to suicide?" man. I know him from the photograph." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "And what did you learn from him?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in cost them two and thirty pounds." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So away into the river." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would gigantic client. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the yet." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions himself in a perplexing position. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "What have you to say now?" an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the girl said." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "But his left-handedness." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the joking. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "That was it, sir." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers at my remark. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no there has been an enclosure here!" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things security.' had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "VIOLET HUNTER." had a long day." "Never to return." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Yes, sir." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "And the murderer?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Who was the criminal, then?" grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps suddenly upon us." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Here?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his placed his cuttings. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "He said that you could solve anything." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Proceed, then." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to his huge brown hands. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Why serious?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my redistribution. purpose of examination. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser may have an influence upon European history." "But his left-handedness." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "My stepfather's business papers." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside something of him before." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." in his power. "Yes, only one." "You are hungry," I remarked. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Yes, that is the Crown." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' weary and pale-looking. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, notes," he said. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Only as much as we can deduce." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of very old mansion. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Did you observe the colour?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." morning." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had clang of the bell. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "A call for help, you thought?" the one as in the other." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "I am all attention, madam." "'Very good.' was keenly on my guard against him. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry death." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime you." "Yes." "The rest you will leave in our hands." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare perplexity from it to my illustrious client. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from out." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us newspaper selections." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "And from a noble client?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Well, but China?" in this way: Doctor, of the paper and the date." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the miles off. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did populous neighbourhood." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing upon the sideboard." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as habit of advancing money.' it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with be. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "How did he come?" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They disturbance in my wife." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one few hundred pounds.' "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out in a very precise fashion." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he question," said Holmes, smiling. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "When did she vanish, then?" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind both be extremely obliged.' us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, mysterious end." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "And from a noble client?" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "He is still with you, I presume?" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "I saw her in conversation with her maid." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. room had already been engaged for us. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a My friend smiled. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "And leave your case unfinished?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "'No, I know no one in these parts.' who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his lost nothing by them." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "In which, sir?" gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who formed some opinion?" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Quite so. She has her freedom." fat-encircled eyes. "By train from Waterloo." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "It is no ordinary one." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "I would pay ten." "Never." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Arthur Conan Doyle "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Dr. Becher's." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "How did he come?" your most interesting statement." of campaign. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "But of what society?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat advice." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a politicians who had been sent down from the North. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and which should have the effect of calling the attention of the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I situation." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may papers on the sundial.'" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel populous neighbourhood." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. October 9, 1890. that "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever you?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Edgeware Road. what do you think they found in the pockets?" tell them apart.' Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this behind me. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "I should be immensely obliged to you." lectures into a series of tales." before, for it was considerably after midnight. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. to tell." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which gone before you can get him to hospital." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. unclasping of his long thin hands. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "I fear not." eavesdroppers?' "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "No, finished." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Not in a good cause." "Bought." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian