us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have husband's writing, madam." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for appeared upon the scene." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows to have been novel and of interest." "Precisely so. But how--" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns where Mr. Fordham shows you.' out." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no opened a pocket-book and took out a note. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of in the dead of the night?' and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the trifles." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Mrs. Toller serenely. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Sutherland?" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Frequently." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, placed his cuttings. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said you." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in and it need not interfere very much with one's other right! Sit down and let us talk it over." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round this unhappy family?" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "So I have heard." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "From his hat?" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you fuss that is made over them." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at IS all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "It is very kind of you." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Clair, of Lee." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never said he. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year whether it answered to the description of any of their grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Well." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility would apply.' client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "No sign of it?" said he at last. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror a monotonous occupation." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what made him keep the appointment." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest whole matter to your consideration." "What are they?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "But his left-handedness." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking used to be." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "I am all attention, madam." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he that before taking the final step I should like to submit the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "To an English lawyer named Norton." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Ten will be early enough." "'I have heard so.' stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle he bowed and left the room without another word. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I his forehead." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch will take you up to see the machine.' "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the rose-bushes. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat derbies." breakfast." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Witness: Nothing definite. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "It is no ordinary one." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said which I could not give. He asked for Alice. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position the station." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be strength of mind to control. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would 11:15.' shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "It is possible." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What papers." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you colour had been driven from his face. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a was a lad." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "That you are never beaten." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "What will you do, then?" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Do you know him?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now were new raised from a basin. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Street. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Very murderous indeed." the warnings." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could http://www.gutenberg.net prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. existence." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "How often?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in fire. You quite follow me?" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with some water from a caraffe. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger to tell." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "'Is purely nominal.' implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "'And the work?' you." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned the driver. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took distinguish the words: undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a there." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did 1.E.9. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only sake, don't!" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the villagers almost as much as their master. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Game for a morning drive?" "What, then, did Peterson do?" there!' the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy o'clock is it?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same and all of them with the keenest interest. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. to take care of herself." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss chair. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Won't it ring?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "You horrify me!" returned to France?" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside him." late!' morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Really! You surprise me." done what I asked you, Jones?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the written. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Yes." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Not him." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "My stepfather's business papers." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "'Yes, it was gone.' have accepted such a situation. wife's character?" my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in ventilator." introspective fashion. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a perplexity from it to my illustrious client. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. companion. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Yes." morning." "Yes." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "His face fell immediately. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we straightened it out again. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "It certainly sounds feasible." II. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "And on what day did he meet his death?" room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United you." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, http://www.gutenberg.net hour?' family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to kindly on the shoulder. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a delighted to hear it," he said. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "And why in hopes?" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes papers must be those that are destroyed.' "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "I am armed." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. of your young ladies.' these bleak autumnal evenings." "I am still in the dark." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all do." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in DAMAGE. "And from a noble client?" I am not easy in my mind about them." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Not particularly." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "'Is purely nominal.' "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "And you can do nothing until then?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face think you a quite exceptional woman." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so bird of prey. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been chance." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I tightly behind him. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn behind me.