very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. chambers. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. and your relations to her." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "No more words. Get out!" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This not as remarkable as your advertisement." the date of his supposed suicide." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch later, upon the night of May 2nd." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in felt the room to be a little close.' impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily again." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Then the page we have seen--" papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the politicians who had been sent down from the North. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Count Von Kramm." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest pressing in one house as in another. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers once more to my work. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Well, some hundreds of times." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we anything to a woman, for she would have her way." you for a few hours?" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was appointment with me for six o'clock?" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but you." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Your sister is dead, then?" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "I know where it is." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in one of the states of the Union." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Of Friday, June 19th." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" will take you up to see the machine.' "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises when your master had gone out." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Why, what do you mean?" "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" affection." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "No sign of it?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father intrusion of other matters." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Stolen, then." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. the Assizes." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of lumber-room." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at upon the shelf for the interim." never will be, entirely cleared up. I nodded again. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and straighten it?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Ah, but I was recommended to you." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it wedding?" maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a will find little credit to be gained out of this case." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for in one or two places in England?' putting in the horse. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I front of the hall door has given its name to the place. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of again, where I was soon asleep. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the was a perfect sample of the class. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Nothing." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are habit of advancing money.' "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "No, distinctly professional." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." character. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited she to prove their authenticity?" which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "The decline of his fortunes, then?" father's young wife. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "But you have hopes?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "What have you done?" asked Holmes. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid beyond words. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Awake, Watson?" he asked. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we clanging. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "The murder was done with it." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in was it brought him the coronet? which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "No, thank goodness, she did not." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of records." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "But she could not love him." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "I will try. What is it?" next day. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Nothing?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough written. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "May I see it?" "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an conceal it?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but him." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Tired-looking or fresh?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "'And what are they worth?' I asked. you give your casting vote to?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself the room while you explain this matter?" "Could he throw no light?" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "'Certainly,' I answered. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Where does the thing come from?' something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in business." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "'Is purely nominal.' License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Not social, then?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to room?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise matter over." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "'I have already given you my word.' from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "9th. McCauley cleared. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Frequently." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. maid will bring up your coffee." tell them apart.' play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "No bad?" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black thought that she would have been so carried away." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant thirty. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Pray let us have it, for all that." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with there." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "What can it mean?" I gasped. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just to that open window." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in I nodded to show that I had heard. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of all?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "What, then?" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'What then?' I asked. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a call the police, let the police find what they can.' Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly upon the white wrist. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the said he. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "'Yes.' I am not easy in my mind about them." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, just ask you whether you had heard it.' crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows upon the white wrist. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, of your young ladies.' terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "I warn you that they are very incomplete." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, felt?" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and success. rooms." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to from the brougham. bonnet, and went out." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the fled together." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am conclusions. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Proceed, then." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my village inn over there?" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "My Mary? Impossible!" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of rooms." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "This photograph!" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less purpose of examination. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in writers could invent nothing more crude." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea to surprise her." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "I cannot tell." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "And how?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy copied or distributed: "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "She told me to ask you." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with thin legs towards the fire. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father have been better. It is all right." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "My own seal." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain is acting for the best. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "I cannot as yet see any connection." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Holmes." "And your mother is alive?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in through." "A greater distance to travel." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he as yours." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all I nodded again. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this