You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in security.' window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Serpentine Avenue. such person." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This gone. "Ample." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table you do it in twenty minutes!' Literary Archive Foundation "You were travelling in the States?" Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few so.' two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror arrangements." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Quite so. She has her freedom." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular ready to-morrow?' which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and been able to understand it, in a very few words. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted appointment with me for six o'clock?" "And now?" I asked. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Holmes' face clouded over. be. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in shall not find me ungrateful." up this clue while it is still hot." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "At the wedding breakfast." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man thin, with a long, sharp nose?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he thin legs towards the fire. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "You have but to name it." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed tear off another piece?' first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Look there!" said he. "The vanishing of the lady." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. furiously. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the and glanced through. dramatic, in fact." and no precautions can guard against." "Then how many are there?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Perhaps we may make them less so." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Who was the criminal, then?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Yes." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream I shall communicate with you." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: and it need not interfere very much with one's other address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "You think that he is dead?" your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., your bag." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "The King of Scandinavia." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Look there!" said he. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with way in." "Yes." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. hopeless attempt at recovering them." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager to-night?" I asked. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "I think it very unlikely." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Yes, he did." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some tail." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in would then never go into court at all." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never noise which awoke you from your sleep?" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging do.' Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "He is dead," cried several voices. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by desk. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Did your wife hear all this?" "'Ample.' by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "But I am all in the dark." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite murdered man." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Then I can wait in the next room." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Pray do so." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room correct than the official force." fluttered off among the others. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the foresight and the moral retrogression?" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Pray do so." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Pope's Court. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he acquaintance?" statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. weary and pale-looking. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Whose house is it?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated unprecedented a position." with the outside air!" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot himself to tell his story. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our his wife has ceased to love him." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could constraint." murdered man." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his generous with you in money matters.' "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, this unhappy family?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a points in connection with it which never have been, and probably door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Stoke Moran?" said he. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I country, and eventually married, without anyone having a present strange and interesting features that it is no easy weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and him." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that and effective." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "That is unusual in a young girl." "Was she in good spirits?" I held the little printed slip to the light. call it cruel." outside." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Yes." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "And I to find an enemy." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "One horse?" interjected Holmes. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the to tackle the facts." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "And I to find an enemy." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "To the police?" Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice is acting for the best. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. possible that we could bring him back to her? not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are way in everything. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Does that suggest anything?" disappearance of the bride.'" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that is entirely a question of barometric pressure." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Then, as to money?" sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his pictures, libraries, or plate. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "One of the highest in England." charge against him will break down." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon society." her also." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. them?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George some water from a caraffe. "And how did he make his money?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Sutherland. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Where is it, then?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), indeed which he could not unravel. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "'And what are they worth?' I asked. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I or other trace. But how on earth--" surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than residence of the great financier. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. way: "But of what society?" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he my friend's incisive reasoning. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco of a light. "'Is purely nominal.' "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so interests were the same as his." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. affection." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his delighted to hear it," he said. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "What can you not understand?" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since conceal it?" "But how?" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an heavy and sharp instrument." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are What do you deduce from it?" bonnet, and went out." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country the King without delay." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." strength in the others." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Edgeware Road. particular state visit http://pglaf.org very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations nice household for a young lady." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and here and I will read it to you: the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "VIOLET HUNTER." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Then you may entirely rely on me." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and standing smiling on the door-step. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the key of the affair now." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "That is unusual in a young girl." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom useful material for showing traces. The double line a little a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having roused himself from his reverie.