word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the did not hear it also.' ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "'A dozen yards or so.' nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to congenial hunt. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as absorbing." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "You heard nothing yourself last night?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Your presence might be invaluable." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Not social, then?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. writing, and yet I know it well." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son himself in a perplexing position. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "I know where it is." fait accompli?" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Yes, from Horsham." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." for the market.' could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me the salesman. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent man. I know him from the photograph." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover it." "And why?" obstinate." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge within hail.' for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Then the page we have seen--" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "I have my revolver," said I. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Not yet." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Why serious?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit not within a twentieth part of the market price." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the leave you to your papers for a little." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "You are all wrong." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both to tell." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Stoke Moran." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms habit of advancing money.' "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle is," said he presently: something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for face and glided from the room. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. ourselves in the office." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. even of instruction." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "I am to be neutral?" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and digesting their breakfasts at home." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came than to us. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? call the police, let the police find what they can.' explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." it were putty." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute gives a meaning to it." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too morning." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman invisible to me," I remarked. not fit the lock." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in bare slabs of marble. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a daring than any effort of the imagination." "On your arm?" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Yes." acted in my house last night?" do." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." client, rising. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems confronted him. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk strength." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between the night.' however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' of the vacancies.' walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "'There is a drive, then?' given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." place of silver." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Her father is very rich?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a brandy and water within his reach. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Pray continue your narrative." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, asked with his eyes open. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is carriage. It was a chestnut." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Murdered?" "I think that I had better go, Holmes." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some back alive. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "You horrify me." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." a suggestive one." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "It's nothing of the kind." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of stammered. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce my former friend and companion. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in some water from a caraffe. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "'And the work?' violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside me where it went to?" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Chief Executive and Director the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "It goes to the housekeeper's room." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "In San Francisco, a year ago." to take care of herself." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," system of imprisonment?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Ample." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year less than 26s. 4d. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be there!' "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All children over to America with him, so that I found myself without residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "And your mother is alive?" aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit one of them." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got what these perils are?" has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "How many? I don't know." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local ashen face. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "My own seal." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but go back?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Precisely so. But how--" salesman. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "The knees of his trousers." "Very much so." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his some water from a caraffe. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Young McCarthy must be got off, however." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Where, indeed?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. any." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in in. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, that I may have something better before very many minutes are I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out gone. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged habit of advancing money.' "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the very morning of my second wedding." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my wife's character?" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to imbecility!" he cried. of them has the shutters up.' you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. returning from some small jollification and was making his way "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "'What then?' I asked. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Pray do so." and glanced through. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "'Yes.' return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "My dear Holmes!" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows on re-entering her father's house?" practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest be best to do. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during crowd. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." furiously. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and maid will bring up your coffee." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Was there a secret marriage?" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, hurried away. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have least a fellow-countryman. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. where she found matters as described by the last witness. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though was once confined in the cab my mission was practically thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, face and glided from the room. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "And Irene Adler?" of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I your most interesting statement." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian late." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of you." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a