"'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Game for a morning drive?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left miles off. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "I will not look." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Perhaps I have." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the the window, rose as we entered. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. conclusions. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Do you go out much in society?" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "We must have a cab." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for could go. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which them, and came down just as you departed. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must had a long day." a monotonous occupation." the stable lane now." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew the matter?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "VIOLET HUNTER." "But you were on a friendly footing?" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband how narrow had been my escape. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have annoyance, but no jest. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my views." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet up this clue while it is still hot." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage the Friday. Was it to be in church?" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. held up the lantern and gazed about him. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread which our visitor detailed to us. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to the coroner come to?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I outbreak?" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque keep the flames under. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "But you were on a friendly footing?" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "About a month then." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies character. bachelor.' you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold if I call to-morrow?" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that II. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had details should find their way into the papers. Inspector Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it which was all perfectly true. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in father's place of business?" Watson," he said cordially. made his money." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Where is it, then?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in standing smiling on the door-step. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "I will get her to show me." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have taking in every detail of the apartment. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow results." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large shoulder. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at have one." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my late!' "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "'Yes.' American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my upon an income of about 60 pounds." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Ah!" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "I answered that I had not. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the trying to your nerves." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he the ceiling. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Was there a secret marriage?" you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "I was mad--insane." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself door?" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very to-morrow." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." public press." details." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "I do." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door introspective fashion. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "I will get her to show me." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "But his left-handedness." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after soul! here is her carriage at the door." Leadenhall Street--and--" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him garden below. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it without a word or a look. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the been able to understand it, in a very few words. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for do.' only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her secret." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the hopeless attempt at recovering them." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Yes. He waved his hands." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Well, some hundreds of times." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very his huge brown hands. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house have got?" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' never will be, entirely cleared up. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was leave you to your papers for a little." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, the loss of it. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "To the police?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she conversation I have gathered that they have been married about should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they writing, and yet I know it well." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so swore that no one else had been in the front room during the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "And who is her maid?" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of garden below. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are drawing your inferences." secret." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a in his hands." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how Lestrade of Scotland Yard." unkempt, staring out at me. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a opened the door, and slipped through. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it lost his Christmas dinner." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "She told me to ask you." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "'Quite sure, dad.' there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a only touch the interest." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "It is half-past ten now." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story the window, rose as we entered. asked with his eyes open. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the inner apartment." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the one's self under obligations.' corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is conceal it?" see me here to avoid scandal." "At the wedding breakfast." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Of Friday, June 19th." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Married! When?" "None." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Nothing." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the thirty. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "How about poison?" question. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "My last client of the sort was a king." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' weigh very heavily upon my conscience." comes from the middle window." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet to arrive at through this?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, father's young wife. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only our word." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many careless servant girl?" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "And what then?" compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Not in the least." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is spark where all is dark to me." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Ha! you find it so?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "None." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you row." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Why did you beat the pavement?" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." feature." the nursery. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an