new acquaintance to Baker Street. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin seven miles from Eyford Station.' means taking possession of that which another person has a prior since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That the stable lane now." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "'You doubt its value?' he asked. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is into the room. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No you found me to-night--and running through the front room she waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, not as remarkable as your advertisement." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and held up the lantern and gazed about him. "I should wish to." in a friendly supper." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Yes, certainly." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few mystery." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my the station." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which forbidden door. someone who had been in Australia." "I cannot tell." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not My friend smiled. "'What, the red-headed man?' "Well, but China?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved with frightened eyes at his accuser. horse could go." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "I know where it is." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents that he has suffered." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "About a month then." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "But what will you do?" one's self under obligations.' wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of tied." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in and I shall be with you presently." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had your equipment. easy-going way." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble without a word or a look. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the might have a private word with us. McCarthy." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my was feeling which was the fattest.' and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever so far?" "Perfectly so." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Countess of Morcar's?" "Entirely." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little think that any burglar could have done. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "I cannot think." Munro.' seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that From what you have told me I think that it is possible that with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers crowd. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "And the cigar-holder?" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I tightly behind him. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." tell them apart.' "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes was the fact that his father should, according to his account, it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one as he remarks, very much against the son." in this way: appeal." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Holmes." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman in the port of London." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's them, and came down just as you departed. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, for and were ordered to this address. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in constraint." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Have you it here?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore what these perils are?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. green of the new foliage. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two few hundred pounds.' from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe keep the flames under. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman McCarthy's innocence. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could unclasping of his long thin hands. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "'Why that?' I asks. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation chair. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "'I have heard so.' "Do you receive much company?" he asked. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's could not account in any way for the presence of the missing King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang main points of my analysis." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the have had none more fantastic than this." "It is possible." of it with the greatest attention. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock such attractions and accomplishments?' that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "So I heard. You have him here?" "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and which I could not give. He asked for Alice. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his foot. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. of the way of danger. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with invisible to me," I remarked. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that should be taken.' what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" were new raised from a basin. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "We were both in the photograph." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "From his hat?" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." shoulder. away into the river." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Dark enough and sinister enough." "He is dead," cried several voices. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his with you alone." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Lestrade of Scotland Yard." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Then you may be so with me." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for excitement. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "But I am all in the dark." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Then what has happened to him?" about here speaks of his kindness to him." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was During two years I have had three consultations and one small or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." your most interesting statement." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be instituted." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Yes, sir." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle had formerly been in part my own. redistribution. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the train.' comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must details." believe that I should never have any practice at all. tapping his fingers upon the table. opportunities to fix the problem. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "I am all attention, madam." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." II. "Upon what point?" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful morning." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Precisely." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "She walked into the breakfast-room." enough to aid us in our search." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "That's no good." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked system of imprisonment?" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be wall." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his you in yours." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the you came in." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered hair?' Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had room?" "My dear Holmes!" of this gang." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said place, I think that there is good ground to think that the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "You will not go there first?" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Then you may entirely rely on me." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he carpenter." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from is," said he presently: morning." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One any more." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." something of him before." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, sparkled upon his finger. "It is possible." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "What office?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Here?" fatally injured? "I am about to be married." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in may have an influence upon European history." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Pope's Court. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you think, you have already met." fait accompli?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business License. You must require such a user to return or "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Literary Archive Foundation "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "'And the work?' It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill once more for Briony Lodge. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat Eyford." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man signal between you and your father? lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, place no limit on the sum I may draw." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your families. Now for the facts. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and possible that we could bring him back to her? being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "I see no marks." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "What, then?" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other I am not easy in my mind about them." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London recover the gem." fire. You quite follow me?" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even giving me time to thank him. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is breakfast." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have