"'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "What?" own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "I am to be neutral?" "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular direction." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. mystery!" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Was there a secret marriage?" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, washing it down with a long draught of water. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "The decline of his fortunes, then?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, distinguish the words: your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest chance." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this someone who had been in Australia." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Then you may entirely rely on me." golden eyeglasses. "Ten will be early enough." "And how in the world did you find them?" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and most interesting one." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Perhaps we may make them less so." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "'Is purely nominal.' glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Her father is very rich?" miles off. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Of what?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I arrested. You then--" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to criminal. We have already had experience of such." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." papers diligently of late, have you not?" then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you into the room. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "No sign of it?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to down from London to inquire more deeply into it." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of and it need not interfere very much with one's other I nodded to show that I had heard. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Always." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Yes." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him call for it in person on Monday morning.' over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "But what will you do?" was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of leaning back in his chair. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought a little more before I quite committed myself. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in disappearance of the bride.'" again before evening." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. important." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now that there was nothing in it, after all." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual is," said he presently: individual and becomes the badge of a society." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a against a man in the prime of life?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "I am still in the dark." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Yes, the wine-cellar." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I trifles." that threaten you." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was ashen face. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered the address that was given us in the advertisement. go--none." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. third from London." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. which it had come upon my father." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had answered with a sidelong glance. 1.F. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand there were so many in the whole country as were brought together another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Countess of Morcar's?" "To an end?" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but it." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Just look it up, then." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "I say it is." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary taking in every detail of the apartment. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Ha! you find it so?" asked. wife's character?" "Her father is very rich?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Yesterday." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You in a very precise fashion." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into she used." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "It goes to the housekeeper's room." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Then the page we have seen--" research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that than to us. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "I don't say that. Perhaps." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a breakfast?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to burst out into a roar of laughter. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole knowledge of the world." London for the present?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with detective. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with was the fact that his father should, according to his account, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own colonel looking down at me. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the asked. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know clang of the bell. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "I cannot tell." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden newspaper selections." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "That is easily got." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "A client, then?" his wife has ceased to love him." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Watson," he said cordially. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "I was afraid that you were engaged." the little opening for the ventilator is." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all already been minutely examined." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle and looked back. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to his fortune, and I went back to pa. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon disappearance of these gems?" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I south, for the country is more deserted there." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. time." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry stalked out of the room. future lives." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study have got?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, business at Coburg Square is serious." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly into her hand at the door and which lured her within their league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a long narrative. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be this as likely?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "I would pay ten." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had States. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Where, then, is my wife?" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "That you are never beaten." sneer upon his pale face. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted province." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & voice, changing her seat as requested. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the was already answered. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much with the outside air!" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening gone before you can get him to hospital." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the yet." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Certainly." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "But he might be a bachelor." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "You horrify me!" town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than been." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Very. But will he see it?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I as this. Pray let me have the details." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his depend upon my doing so.' retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your quickly through a disagreeable task. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "'Quite sure, dad.' Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious I nodded again. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker when you have done it." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only would then never go into court at all." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "'Oh, no.' "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Then he might have called to you?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at companion. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Was she in good spirits?" "Texas, I think." Eyford at 11:15.' was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to placed his cuttings. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had bears upon the case?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." upon an income of about 60 pounds." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our mysterious end." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "You are hungry," I remarked. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the