the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That is acting for the best. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an had no one to advise her at such a crisis." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Pray be precise as to details," said he. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Witness: It was. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, shall not find me ungrateful." "Yes, sir." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right and have this put in the evening papers." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "In San Francisco, a year ago." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "No, thank goodness, she did not." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the It may be so in this case, also." "Not social, then?" knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Yes, certainly." was used.' Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in This is what he says: The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "How do you know, then?" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to existence." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "What do you make of that, Watson?" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Certainly." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), was shining brightly. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "And your mother is alive?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "What steps will you take?" I asked. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will husband's writing, madam." when your master had gone out." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us was keenly on my guard against him. from you?" extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Yes, it would be as well." could not have written that. It is the German who is so "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and sofa. This way, please!" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence and effective." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Have you good authority for what you say?" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Then you may entirely rely on me." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I British peeress.'" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry anything to do with the matter?" my special province." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about them?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Where did you address your letters, then?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature locked. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough meant." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, weary and pale-looking. your equipment. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which again, where I was soon asleep. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Where, then?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Only as much as we can deduce." "It looks newer than the other things?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I security.' to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "'Certainly not.' terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice one's self under obligations.' breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "It surprised me." "'Oh, no.' generous with you in money matters.' "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "But I am all in the dark." her also." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Not in a good cause." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then society." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. suddenly upon us." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have clang of the bell. easy-going way." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a lips." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "What is it?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged children over to America with him, so that I found myself without to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to that he has suffered." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia Mrs. Toller serenely. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "And your mother is alive?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Why, what do you mean?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "The landlord of the Alpha." fasten all the windows?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout affair. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as national property. I was determined that the law should have its "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate them present such singular features as the strange train of "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have these bleak autumnal evenings." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis look dissatisfied." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his know that the truth is known." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave fluttered off among the others. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared cause to be." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But and I shall be with you presently." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Pray do so." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you this poor creature." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "How often?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to bonnet, and went out." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried that he has suffered." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Not him." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of passage and a tap at the door. prison!" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you and laid it on the table. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the running down." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business whereabouts. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "It is half-past ten now." redistribution. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "'I have already given you my word.' thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he strong and stiff." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." Lee, in the county of Kent." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "My stepfather's business papers." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the little opening for the ventilator is." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had o'clock is it?" "Yes." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can mysterious end." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the your only hope of safety." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that father's young wife. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." what I may call a really hard day's work." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend morning." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as upon the shelf for the interim." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "And now?" I asked. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" the bottom.' "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they stood on the top of it. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Breckinridge is his name." "Has he come with you to-night?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some meant." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin my secret was safe in his possession. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Pray continue your narrative." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" pound a week." "Murdered?" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. never to learn it at all." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it impression behind it as though a window had gently closed him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to we went to search for him, face downward in a little likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an which we had just quitted. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be stood on the top of it. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous memory. "'What do you call purely nominal?' Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "I was afraid that you were engaged." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "A client, then?" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was gives a meaning to it." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, observed. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "This photograph!" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I six. Come in!" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger colonel looking down at me. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we morning." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news you?' permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Have you her photograph?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "I was sure that I might rely on you." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to nonsense.' like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do round with crates and massive boxes. brain must have something in it." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees The note was undated, and without either signature or address. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I seem to you to be relevant or not." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "'Ten to two.' "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which was not a bird to be seen there. "That is possible." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "I was mad--insane." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence friends, not even his own brother. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange was keenly on my guard against him. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "The Cedars?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Was the window open?" "Always." when your master had gone out." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. hand, madam?" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "What I expected to see." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Ten will be early enough." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded skylight. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my