"It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man him. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "It is very clear." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From round and wave him away like that.' individual and becomes the badge of a society." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were me upon any point which I do not make clear." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a my former friend and companion. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "This concluded the examination of the witness." "And how have you succeeded?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the nothing with him." "Yes, all." My friend smiled. "'Why that?' I asks. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Yes." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided when you have done it." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "'You cannot say what it was?' ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "And why?" south, for the country is more deserted there." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "I have solved it." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "It was an hour's good drive." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Holmes' room. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds not fit the lock." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning them?" and effective." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from from the brougham. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Will you go?" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "It certainly sounds feasible." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "About a month then." of campaign. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, nonsense.' upon the sideboard." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Did you become engaged then?" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it something of him before." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the yards of it?' permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for a suggestive one." conclusions. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should me. You must get home instantly and act." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it that I may have something better before very many minutes are "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "And your father? Did you tell him?" them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the interest. They are important, you understand, without being pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." with the outside air!" you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "And sit in the dark?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "A client, then?" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, details." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, away to you." sparkled upon his finger. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "It goes to the housekeeper's room." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is our word." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "I was sure that I might rely on you." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without could not have written that. It is the German who is so and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent and no precautions can guard against." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Yes." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of the little opening for the ventilator is." arrested. You then--" "Always." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what details should find their way into the papers. Inspector it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can leaning back in his chair. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' if I call to-morrow?" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. without a word or a look. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "And you can do nothing until then?" sound at heart." "Yes, I have one waiting." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to already referred to. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." when your master had gone out." danger is over." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Then I shall certainly come." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of go--none." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "You have it, sir, just as it happened." an introduction to him?" unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are other, as fresh and trim as possible. started for the Temple to see my husband. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "What then?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat was shining brightly. was keenly on my guard against him. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." I leave." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and photograph?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here were wasted." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local became a certainty. "'Certainly,' I answered. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Yes, the wine-cellar." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I returning from some small jollification and was making his way beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady posted to-day." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "My photograph." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing had died away into the silence from which it rose. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "I fear not." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make whatever might befall. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his is now desirous of getting those letters back." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "I don't believe it." always that they were such commands as a lady might with village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the again before evening." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Well, but China?" without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite the Friday. Was it to be in church?" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, right! Sit down and let us talk it over." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I of campaign. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "What will you do, then?" hair?' "And what did you see?" Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "'Stolen!' he cried. "It came here." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards acted in my house last night?" of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the in him." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a kind enough to tell me what I should do." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution said he at last. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel events than those which have happened in my own family." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; of the efforts of the United States government and of the better questioning and rather startled gaze. forebodings. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told footfalls from the street. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "You saw the ventilator, too?" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "It is possible." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very morning." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Where did he live, then?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his it." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to photograph?" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. might have a private word with us. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "And that is--" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a said Mr. Holder. Edgeware Road. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "I don't believe it." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Did you observe the colour?" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "That is not always so easy." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the as he remarks, very much against the son." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of woven round him. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my colonel looking down at me. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, main points of my analysis." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some it." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat brandy and water within his reach. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "How are you getting on?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp and no precautions can guard against." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "The doctor?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be to you." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it me. You must get home instantly and act." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed is," said he presently: paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some again, where I was soon asleep. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve was used.' I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "But not more so than I to find you." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." whether it answered to the description of any of their "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client present strange and interesting features that it is no easy volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. all that?" it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. question. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for not within a twentieth part of the market price." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "But he might be a bachelor." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone."