woman." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these weary and pale-looking. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "My dear Holmes!" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both the south-west, I see." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no enough to aid us in our search." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were indiscretion." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. you want, then?' while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." with her." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew always that they were such commands as a lady might with use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Nothing." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For hand, madam?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between true." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have time." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very the Assizes." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "How do you know, then?" least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "'What do you call purely nominal?' swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Henry Baker is a member." main points of my analysis." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her fled together." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the best of training." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed be.' It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he window when the police appeared." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "And now?" I asked. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "I know where it is." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." house for five minutes.' stammered. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his the Red-headed League." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up looking up at the numbers of the houses." upon the sideboard." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. is so. I know all about McCarthy." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I cause to be." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "He might." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "'Quite sure, dad.' "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Nothing." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Precisely." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was quickly through a disagreeable task. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary and the colonel ushered me in. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Not yet." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "He slept on the premises." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Heh?' was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Where is it, then?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the the dangers which encompass me." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only kindly on the shoulder. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One I shall communicate with you." a good hundred miles off by now." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." be. once more for Briony Lodge. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. done what I asked you, Jones?" above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must do you make of it all?" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of carpenter." had a long day." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with is now desirous of getting those letters back." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning writer." and laid it on the table. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. whether it answered to the description of any of their vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "It is half-past ten now." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in have had none more fantastic than this." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his with some details as to your case." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Yesterday." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "But he might be a bachelor." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "'About the same.' "There is the writing." "Was your sister dressed?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. emerged. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his money should be paid at once.' "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the one's self under obligations.' "Not I." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my visitors." instincts rose up against that laugh. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. the Assizes." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement down from London to inquire more deeply into it." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and overpowering excitement and concern. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "He said that you could solve anything." confronted him. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "I fear not." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "It is no ordinary one." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. roused himself from his reverie. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very I held the little printed slip to the light. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "In San Francisco, a year ago." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows acquaintance?" confronted him. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Is he quiet?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to her also." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, remarked. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor results." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same really the only notable feature about the thing." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several London for the present?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "But you have hopes?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate returned to France?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any purpose of examination. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away companion. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed carried out of court." head. So long, then!" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "And what did you see?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "And when will you call?" planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there hard-headed British jury." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You your Highness to the police-station?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "He is still with you, I presume?" but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "An enemy?" Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "I beg pardon." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Yes." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a face and glided from the room. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Where, then?" "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "In San Francisco, a year ago." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I of Mr. Rucastle's." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had forbidden door. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Why, what do you mean?" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It charge against him will break down." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "There are none." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, upon the white wrist. "But how?" relation between them, and what the object of his repeated drawing your inferences." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' garden below. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Nothing." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "No." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "'Certainly not. But why?' behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained my former friend and companion. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Serpentine Avenue. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "I assure you that I am in your hands." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had brandy and water within his reach. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "I have come for advice." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he there in twenty minutes." Arthur Conan Doyle stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Who by?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of been lifted and conveyed somewhere." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off points to suicide?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Dark enough and sinister enough." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to way in everything. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" brain must have something in it." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?'