direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "'About the same.' "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and and looked back. own family. "My dear Holmes!" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a highly," said Holmes. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added be sorry for having acted so harshly." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "You have carte blanche." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "'I shall certainly be there.' friends, not even his own brother. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "At the wedding breakfast." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all too. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "No, distinctly professional." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, interests were the same as his." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black American. Then who could this American be, and why should he passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Then I am your man." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" future lives." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his redistribution. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "To an English lawyer named Norton." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between not personally threatened." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was arrangements." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to right! Sit down and let us talk it over." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "And leave your case unfinished?" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be should be taken.' here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on felt the room to be a little close.' developed." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." narrative." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "A greater distance to travel." character. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "What will you say?" "'Yes, I promise.' before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "None." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the should be taken.' you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "And what did you learn from him?" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come to-morrow." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple It may be so in this case, also." business at Coburg Square is serious." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the works. See paragraph 1.E below. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was present." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Won't it ring?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "And how did he make his money?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it her also." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the address that was given us in the advertisement. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a leave you to your papers for a little." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "How do you know, then?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs read over the extraordinary announcement. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "I see no marks." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "And why?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Yes." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, 11:15.' is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "But how will you look?" "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Here?" "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "And for present expenses?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "The murder was done with it." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day acted in my house last night?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your do you make of it all?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the inner apartment." horse could go." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a the side-table." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite key turn in the lock." delighted to hear it," he said. know that the truth is known." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Ten will be early enough." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in of fine shops and stately business premises that they really servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "What steps will you take?" I asked. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." heavily into it. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then intimate personal affairs in this public manner." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." seen the man in the road." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. was a loud and authoritative tap. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From have established a very serious case against the son of the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "But your client--" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "It is very clear." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Witness: Nothing definite. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was letters?" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Breckinridge is his name." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Imitated." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "I would pay ten." "Yes." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must name is different." "But what harm can there be in that?" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers daring than any effort of the imagination." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and young Openshaw's." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat in darkness. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed the coronet at all injured?" nice household for a young lady." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their village inn over there?" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Proceed, then." allusion to a rat. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Pray do so." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" It may be so in this case, also." meant." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular views." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will are, and they are waiting for us." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Where does the thing come from?' "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Perhaps I have." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "But how?" grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very of it with the greatest attention. legal crime." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper of Mr. Rucastle's." strong and stiff." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "One of the highest in England." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "You have a clue?" row." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock I am not easy in my mind about them." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local recover the gem." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Then, how do you know?" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be gbnewby@pglaf.org this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Yes, all." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is did not hear it also.' is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Thank you. Pray proceed." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "ARAT," I read. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your My friend smiled. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way empty. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose ourselves in the office." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this eat it." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my papers must be those that are destroyed.' asked. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked not as remarkable as your advertisement." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "You did not overhear what they said?" manager. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble the salesman. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly so.' that there was nothing in it, after all." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I train.' accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he could go. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Who by?" that you saw all that I did." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "'Then let me do so?' rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what direction." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few him. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under charged with?" about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon that there was nothing in it, after all." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "He slept on the premises." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "No bad?" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might lost his Christmas dinner." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I him." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' in a very precise fashion." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Because he was handy and would come cheap." have one." said I. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a strode off upon his way. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, bell. Holmes whistled. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the house with me." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in than was visible to me." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" been able to understand it, in a very few words. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons over with notes and figures.