it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but written. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been frequently gained my first real insight into the character of which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "What?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This at once, for I have only half an hour." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower horse could go." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Never to return." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they interests were the same as his." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did companion quietly. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the character. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of interested in these little problems, and since you are good makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Can I be of assistance?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Oh, yes, easily." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his beyond words. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But presented more singular features than that which was associated "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which only touch the interest." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "And from a noble client?" "Yes, sir." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and intimate personal affairs in this public manner." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she business." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "'Not at all. I only doubt--' to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project papers on the sundial.'" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were during that time.' said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin get the tickets." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly crackling voice. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you papers." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste noise which awoke you from your sleep?" action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that events than those which have happened in my own family." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew drove away. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I towards the blaze. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then I approached. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "You have but to name it." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Edgeware Road. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "And who is her maid?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" outside." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I maid will bring up your coffee." than was visible to me." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in had this final quarrel? "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at thin, with a long, sharp nose?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped and a shock of very red hair. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small sufficient punishment." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of my secret was safe in his possession. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Absolutely none." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Then how many are there?" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him rat could hardly pass through." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much During two years I have had three consultations and one small produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "And I." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to call it cruel." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else that threaten you." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to an introduction to him?" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too clanging. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. may have an influence upon European history." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "You know me, then?" "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." The events in question occurred in the early days of my to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Farm upon the left." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Ten will be early enough." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for with you alone." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was is four-and-twenty." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "And Irene Adler?" her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that where we are going." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "That is easily got." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the disturbance in my wife." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable little trying to do so much typewriting?" but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I His name is Francis Prosper." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution distance from the station, and there we found the young lady side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the you." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed fish-monger and a tide-waiter." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Thank you. Pray proceed." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there tell him that I know him to be innocent." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The gone before you can get him to hospital." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how vague figure huddled up in the darkness. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he upon an income of about 60 pounds." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone Arthur Conan Doyle him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a not personally threatened." me." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend this poor creature." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Can I be of assistance?" Holmes." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Yes, at the mines." "Certainly, madam." made his money." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some have got?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "I have come for advice." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, 1.F. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It cigar and let me expound." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his use an arc-and-compass breastpin." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "That's no good." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a the devil!" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would threw himself down with his face to the pillow. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say in this way: round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "It must be recovered." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "But how could you guess what the motive was?" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some absolutely follow my advice in every respect." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "And who is her maid?" that I can to serve you." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Mary, has deserted me." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain fait accompli?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled during that time.' forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of third from London." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed and wait." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Not particularly." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague said he. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' carpenter." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "The landlord of the Alpha." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been and glanced through. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss hands. "'Then let me do so?' forbidden door. to Leatherhead. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "You have but to name it." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "What then?" down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. passage and a tap at the door. "Pray continue your narrative." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "None." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "What are they?" her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, over with notes and figures. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. depend upon your compliance." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! fled together." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that excitement. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "But what will you do?" conclusions. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without that "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, populous neighbourhood." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must I. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" important." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have and put his glass in his pocket. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I putting in the horse. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did not come at once?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "When did it break out?" crackling voice. bled considerably." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless most important business. It is probable that he will be away all This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his invisible to me," I remarked. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and again." his huge brown hands. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy it means?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This present strange and interesting features that it is no easy me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "No, I had a dozen." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my at a side door. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "And on what day did he meet his death?" lamp in his hand. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had