I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Yes." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in than to us. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "My Mary? Impossible!" trifles." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the for its centre. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his newspaper selections." "'Ten to two.' the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Do you receive much company?" he asked. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the not fit the lock." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like throat." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "One of his hands." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "'And what salary do you ask?' brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, with you alone." bell. Holmes whistled. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "At the wedding breakfast." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we you for a few hours?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so or in danger--" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either and that he would see to anything that turned up. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly grasp, he hurried from the room. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know matters immensely." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of so.' play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a already referred to. observed. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "One?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "I beg pardon." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Young McCarthy must be got off, however." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no that you wished to speak to me?' of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and there." speckled band?" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not Mrs. Toller serenely. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" I leave." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not the tragedy. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "I am following you closely," I answered. "'Certainly not.' was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police the coronet in his hand?" was a lad." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "I am to be neutral?" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the late!' a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the to-night?' and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. neither fascinating nor artistic." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Holmes, the busybody!" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was that you wished to speak to me?' enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them into her hand at the door and which lured her within their delighted to hear it," he said. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Come in!" said he. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love bore every mark of being an average commonplace British called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the heavily into it. that I can to serve you." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be good for you to do.' "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Yes, they were peculiar boots." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are locked. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. becomes even more simple." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing security.' overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Was she in good spirits?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss asked. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "'What, the red-headed man?' which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my the ceiling. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Very murderous indeed." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "What office?" at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect meant it for the best. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. presume?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "'Yes, sir.' the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Surrey." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an very morning of my second wedding." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott vague figure huddled up in the darkness. have an American origin." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "You have a clue?" the running down." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's eat it." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. tension within him. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very over here." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Your presence might be invaluable." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell him nearly every evening." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. started for the Temple to see my husband. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, question," said Holmes, smiling. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may wedding?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and there were one or two details which were new to me. But the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ present." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, populous neighbourhood." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Then I do not see the point." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Have you her photograph?" naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Does that suggest anything?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the third from London." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from do." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is all that?" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought individual and becomes the badge of a society." both be extremely obliged.' parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and noise which awoke you from your sleep?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid brain must have something in it." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases o'clock is it?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three himself. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in redistribution. strength in the others." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "But it has twice been burgled." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to more solid." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that tied." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "So it appears." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Not him." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. careless servant girl?" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "What! a murderous attack?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Heh?' bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "How often?" down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "It missed him, then?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "But not more so than I to find you." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a Have you good authority for what you say?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid following enigmatical notices: "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "I say that I have solved it." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being pound a week." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Indeed! Whose, then?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the devil!" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round chair. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. my little problems." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in chair. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Perhaps I have." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be awaited us upon the table. individual and becomes the badge of a society." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a I was concerned in it." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than quite distinctive." "I will try. What is it?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "And the murderer?" "The landlord of the Alpha." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning horse could go." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Nothing." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "'Yes, sir.' His name is Francis Prosper." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "And from a noble client?" I approached.