this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I a room. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and I approached. recover the gem." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet trifles." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch investigation." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say you give your casting vote to?" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Yes, it would be as well." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding again, where I was soon asleep. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "But she could not love him." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Nearly eleven." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Come in!" said Holmes. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. residence of the great financier. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. death." "'I have already given you my word.' police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in allusion to a rat. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Yes." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Where did you address your letters, then?" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. bears upon the case?" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and room had already been engaged for us. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among tapping his fingers upon the table. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far ordinary clothes on?" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Yes, that is the Crown." returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his hardly wander." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "It looks newer than the other things?" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Then I shall certainly come." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" she used." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be call for protection in the marriage market, for the present *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he sake, don't!" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a useful material for showing traces. The double line a little laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely question. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "It is a murder, then?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "'Entirely.' pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Of what?" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. trying to your nerves." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an started for the Temple to see my husband. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I likely to be some crony of the landlady's." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill Mary, has deserted me." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his more terrible than the truth. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining any more." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a shadow pass over his face as I spoke. know all about it," he snarled. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "She walked into the breakfast-room." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "No, I am descending." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly other means.' has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Sutherland. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the in the port of London." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "The rest you will leave in our hands." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five believe that I should never have any practice at all. written. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I and the church but not where the lady lived." happened." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "How are you getting on?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), events, Mr. Windibank!" a room. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "He disappeared so suddenly." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Thank you. And your address?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "'Ten to two.' Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out helping a boy to put up the shutters. despair." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Certainly." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my details should find their way into the papers. Inspector between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own there when the Rucastles went away." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of matter over." "How often?" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain drove away. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of think you a quite exceptional woman." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of pictures, libraries, or plate. "But how did you gain them?" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "I cannot tell." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public away into the river." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a Sholtos." must compliment you." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which stepfather?" she used." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. overpowering excitement and concern. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Was he the only applicant?" such person." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "One of his hands." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker giving me time to thank him. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain yourselves in at night?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" lumber-room." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "My private note-paper." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope would then never go into court at all." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "I have seen the police." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the was it brought him the coronet? investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "It is a murder, then?" forebodings. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard back alive. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was straighten it?" directly by questioning you." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to mystery." "Was your sister dressed?" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of photograph?" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, telegram would bring me down to your help." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards situation." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that to that open window." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to tear off another piece?' o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge I was concerned in it." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Did your wife hear all this?" Sutherland. gives a meaning to it." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The lamp. at a side door. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in friends, not even his own brother. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first occupations.' more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" details." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "'Entirely.' "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the brain must have something in it." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house examine." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." call the police, let the police find what they can.' Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed the ceiling. "This concluded the examination of the witness." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his side. "An accident, I presume?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "How can you tell that?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking breakfast." the best of training." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate knowledge of the world." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, For additional contact information: naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue could not account in any way for the presence of the missing may have an influence upon European history." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Stolen, then." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "But not more so than I to find you." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help the house with me." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able been shamefully used." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew 1.E.9. ourselves in the office." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling events, Mr. Windibank!" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "You saw the ventilator, too?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "In which, sir?" you came in." in his power. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a crackling voice. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Here?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless affair. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Street. meant." round and wave him away like that.' was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy again, where I was soon asleep. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than hands. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon