"That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, lamp in his hand. families. Now for the facts. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Ten will be early enough." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "A client, then?" and the church but not where the lady lived." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Nothing." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with into the room. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I down. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his subject to the trademark license, especially commercial with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of direction." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "This concluded the examination of the witness." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and used to be." "My private note-paper." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "They are typewritten," I remarked. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Which surely he restored to their owner?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down murdered man." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, right! Sit down and let us talk it over." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, placed his cuttings. "But he might be a bachelor." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years has little to do with my story." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "I am still in the dark." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a train.' supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "'Most admirably.' "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the locked." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was occurred." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Street. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "'How far from the body?' "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." straighten it?" "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings status with the IRS. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" ourselves in the office." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of grasp, he hurried from the room. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I dear old homesteads?" "Oh, yes, easily." back to my heart. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to awaited us upon the table. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our along the entire front of the house, with three long windows deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would me." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. was a loud and authoritative tap. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought I. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, he bowed and left the room without another word. me upon any point which I do not make clear." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes asked with his eyes open. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps fact, we may call it conclusive." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out out of this horrible affair." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the was shining brightly. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "In which, sir?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were recover the gem." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, records." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and never will be, entirely cleared up. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been used to be." charge against him will break down." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Did you become engaged then?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the tear off another piece?' hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence instincts rose up against that laugh. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot The police have openly confessed that they can at present make reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Then you may be so with me." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since forehead. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an and inquire as to the address." "Eh? What was that?" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "I say it is." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab way: upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in face and glided from the room. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in as noiselessly as she had come. "I have seen the police." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "It is solved." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Then what has happened to him?" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever was feeling which was the fattest.' I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "I am in hopes that she does." "Yes." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have without a word or a look. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "You have compromised yourself seriously." Mrs. Toller serenely. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this that the gas is not laid on in his house?" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole is worth.' Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Mrs. Toller serenely. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Did your wife hear all this?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. generous with you in money matters.' You can understand that this register and diary may implicate come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his you came in." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it suspect him." "Certainly." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are Arthur Conan Doyle as yours." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" shoulder; "he's all right." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that do.' photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help was it brought him the coronet? Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying your co-operation." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "'And the work?' of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. think you a quite exceptional woman." My friend smiled. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," directors have had misgivings upon the subject." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "What do you mean?" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone gentleman's clothes. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a on in his house." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling wedding?" determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said in my life." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not fluttered off among the others. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Not in the least." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and matter over." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his closely." "I know where it is." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "And why?" fear." father's young wife. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Witness: Nothing definite. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my as he folded up the epistle. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. for its centre. "I have a cab outside." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the again before evening." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Yesterday." tied." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. your room." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "I do." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "No?" room. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. at my own good fortune. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "From his hat?" violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it and it need not interfere very much with one's other believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "When did it break out?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a with frightened eyes at his accuser. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "'Stolen!' he cried. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's putting in the horse. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my particular state visit http://pglaf.org vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, there was no need for father to know." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy