something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an conduct the inquiry." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "'What, the red-headed man?' the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Deserted you?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little read over the extraordinary announcement. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "No, I think that I'll take it." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever the warnings." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" empty. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," in this note: pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. of a light. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a crime." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "It's nothing of the kind." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "No." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "I cannot say that I have." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! the station." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a hardly wander." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "ARAT," I read. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own him to be an active member of the medical profession." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "And that is--" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so trying to your nerves." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Now, then, what's the last entry?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." in. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he chill to my heart. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to highly," said Holmes. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I as he remarks, very much against the son." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Perfectly so." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one during that time.' "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "It was an hour's good drive." "I have come for advice." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a question," said Holmes, smiling. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." second." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "From his hat?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always go from here to the Strand." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "My opinion is in no way altered." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from and inquire as to the address." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "But how?" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon allusion to a rat. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly impression behind it as though a window had gently closed simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, case-book, which he consulted. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, bird of prey. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my have accepted such a situation. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up not, dad?" she asked. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope amused." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. some water from a caraffe. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "The Coroner: What do you mean? broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" something of him before." suspect him." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Stolen, then." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet detective. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "How did you deduce the select?" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, suspect him." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Yes, they were peculiar boots." knowledge of the world." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them This is what he says: and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most standing smiling on the door-step. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "I think it very unlikely." "And I." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "But of what society?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my written. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled this unhappy family?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Ten will be early enough." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I place, I think that there is good ground to think that the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with of the vacancies.' the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot then?" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before wedding?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "What will you do, then?" few hundred pounds.' penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Precisely." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner entirely devoid of interest." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad again before evening." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say and the church but not where the lady lived." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of hopeless attempt at recovering them." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "No?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his placed his cuttings. handed it to him. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the fear." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that ashen face. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new three fields round his house, and there he would take his as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to the inquest, and which are worth considering." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay my former friend and companion. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "It surprised me." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he you want, then?' fact, we may call it conclusive." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's which should have the effect of calling the attention of the fluttered off among the others. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard remarked. his face. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the tear off another piece?' "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her behind me. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "It is to him that this trophy belongs." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned and the whole place is in a blaze." we went to search for him, face downward in a little "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a out of this horrible affair." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Ah, but I was recommended to you." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she spark where all is dark to me." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the kind enough to tell me what I should do." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he he bowed and left the room without another word. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project cost them two and thirty pounds." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two becomes even more simple." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards present." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for skylight. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "By no means." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "What do you mean?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "No." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." habit of advancing money.' envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it morning." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Serpentine Avenue. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. main points of my analysis." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was seven miles from Eyford Station.' anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful