there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "So I have heard." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming 11:15.' forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "And Miss Sutherland?" comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "At half-wages, in fact." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "You'll never persuade me to believe that." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my window when the police appeared." "I promise," said Holmes. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the nursery. you." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in envelope. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier hand, madam?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. to have been novel and of interest." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his in my life." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Thank you. Pray proceed." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "And you don't know his address?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback not personally threatened." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered made his money." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Can I be of assistance?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker my little problems." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." to-night?' extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Holmes' face clouded over. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it if only as a check to my own memory." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do It may be so in this case, also." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when gigantic client. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "He might." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to completely overtopped every other consideration that we both could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "But how will you look?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, closely." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. strong reason behind." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing rooms." them, and came down just as you departed. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' papers." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY October 9, 1890. someone who had been in Australia." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "There are none." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a come either from the window or the door. My attention was from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his not use it unless it is absolutely needed." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "How did he come?" the stones. "I have solved it." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it best detective that ever lived. figure." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "I cannot imagine." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "You have the photograph?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a lectures into a series of tales." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "No." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey it means?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The dramatic, in fact." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are said I. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "I have come for advice." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural appeared upon the scene." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "I am sure." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than particular state visit http://pglaf.org its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, head. So long, then!" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "I am in hopes that she does." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You hand, madam?" ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" writer." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? to arrive at through this?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United residence of the great financier. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences than was visible to me." placed his cuttings. weighed down with some great anxiety. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a the Assizes." throat." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "'Oh, no.' be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face chill to my heart. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. rooms." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Eyford." "A client, then?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "You horrify me." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Yes, certainly." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this call it cruel." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is mystery!" "To ruin me." "Come in!" said Holmes. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. new duties?' without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance exactly what you advise." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a distance from the station, and there we found the young lady newspaper selections." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "A greater distance to travel." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was salesman. I have it here in my museum." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. occurred." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly are, and they are waiting for us." empty. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "But you would not advise me to refuse?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked your troubles." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that happened." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. wedding?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building union?" present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall you?" "And how did you find out?" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the astonishment. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than to a light-house. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and himself in a perplexing position. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been main points of my analysis." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, asked with his eyes open. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Where, indeed?" points to suicide?" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Was there a secret marriage?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where prisoner's face. or other trace. But how on earth--" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of Foundation "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours where she found matters as described by the last witness. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the very letters. But what is this written above them?' that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and unclasping of his long thin hands. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. you want, then?' correct than the official force." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Awake, Watson?" he asked. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can prison!" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my written, and locked the door of the office after me. "I think it very unlikely." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. of the vacancies.' the so-precious time, but come!' so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had the coronet in his hands?" "That is unusual in a young girl." papers must be those that are destroyed.' read it out to me." following enigmatical notices: continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning down from London to inquire more deeply into it." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may fear." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "What! You do not mean bodies?" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Pray do so." Holmes. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I been deceived." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my to-night's adventure." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper constraint." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If away into the river." "I will get her to show me." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were the side-table." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in get the tickets." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it you for a few hours?" appointment with me for six o'clock?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be and glanced through. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet tapping his fingers upon the table. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was Countess of Morcar's?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "No bad?" roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. the warnings." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with here." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "How many? I don't know." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "It looks newer than the other things?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at