"Have you it here?" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take at a side door. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have for and were ordered to this address. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' papers." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do side. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears him to be an active member of the medical profession." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" the house with me." written, and locked the door of the office after me. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I drove away. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent entirely devoid of interest." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in that he will be back before evening." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Not I." upon the white wrist. "How did that help you?" A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way of this gang." "But what will you do?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," been." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter unprecedented a position." "You are hungry," I remarked. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "No, I am descending." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Do you know him?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried back alive. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, there!' quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland burst into a hearty fit of laughter. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I felt?" of the vacancies.' Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Was she in good spirits?" It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, presume?" large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Where, then?" Dr. Gregory B. Newby reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the in my life." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," asked. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect his face. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. hurried by. occupations.' investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste noting anything else of interest. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "It's nothing of the kind." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so better grown goose." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All here." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses telegram would bring me down to your help." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." the running down." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Holmes, the busybody!" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of strength of mind to control. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Holmes' face clouded over. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what all-comprehensive glances. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Nothing?" the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "The murder was done with it." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you seem to you to be relevant or not." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he of campaign. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and is a common subject for conversation. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch just called myself is not exactly my own." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the way in everything. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me Mary, has deserted me." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know forecastle of an emigrant ship. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur and capable of preserving a secret.' this unhappy family?" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, young Openshaw's." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered furiously. "No." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "He slept on the premises." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, that you wished to speak to me?' As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "He is still with you, I presume?" "I see many objections to any such theory." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" disappearance of the bride.'" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has directors have had misgivings upon the subject." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the wall." "Where did you address your letters, then?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we his huge brown hands. "'I am sure if I had known--' "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of there was no need for father to know." distinguish the words: "'I have heard so.' "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In fishes. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would been deceived." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution imbecility!" he cried. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother developed." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "So it appears." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "And you don't know his address?" "I beg pardon." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I for and were ordered to this address. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "There are none." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "'How far from the body?' I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case carriage. It was a chestnut." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "And Irene Adler?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the mystery." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask strong reason behind." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up door?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Ha! you find it so?" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. case-book, which he consulted. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid you do it in twenty minutes!' "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have thought that she would have been so carried away." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Eh? What was that?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. have had none more fantastic than this." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was nights." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "By train from Waterloo." good for you to do.' to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both It may be so in this case, also." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Of what?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for points in connection with it which never have been, and probably whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was that you wished to speak to me?' "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "But to whom?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of delirious. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not we went to search for him, face downward in a little As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, upon an income of about 60 pounds." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "And for present expenses?" beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "No. What a strange idea!" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length way in everything. my little problems." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "You heard nothing yourself last night?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated seen the man in the road." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Why? What do you mean?" carpenter." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, be. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "What!" he roared. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Not I." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "No sign of it?" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well noise which awoke you from your sleep?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning on in his house." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil have an American origin." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known less than 26s. 4d. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. the coroner come to?" see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the straightened it out again. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Yes, it was twisted." up this clue while it is still hot." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to asked with his eyes open. this man was intellectual?" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold how narrow had been my escape. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to forbidden door. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Yes." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Pray do so." asked. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they Foundation shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the deduce something from that?" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, gone before you can get him to hospital." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of