"In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "How do you know, then?" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked tell him that I know him to be innocent." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or you?" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the indeed happy." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must narrative." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To written, and locked the door of the office after me. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely suspect him." train.' interest. They are important, you understand, without being Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains have been better. It is all right." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be from the brougham. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "The Cedars?" seen the man in the road." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "It is no ordinary one." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his used to be." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "None." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. her also." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Well?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and 1.F. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "But we can't all be." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office case-book, which he consulted. do.' engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I papers." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am own family. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Never to return." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' taking in every detail of the apartment. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" to Leatherhead. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear telegram would bring me down to your help." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I in the port of London." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill felt the room to be a little close.' central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce directly by questioning you." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two important." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that entirely devoid of interest." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Absolutely?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever good-night and bustled off upon her way. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part which was all perfectly true. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Not in the least." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Pray do so." happened." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "And the cigar-holder?" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "A greater distance to travel." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Tired-looking or fresh?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were in his hands." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds the running down." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate appeal." face and glided from the room. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the disappearance of the bride.'" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I will get her to show me." him and tried to hold him back. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, done what I asked you, Jones?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Why did you pick him?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but true." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the into the room. "So I have heard." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with disappearance of these gems?" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of on in his house." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a appeared upon the scene." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as open." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. room. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless into her hand at the door and which lured her within their to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. in. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." room. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he locked." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! the ceiling. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Lestrade of Scotland Yard." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: to a light-house. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "I fear not." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Ample." lost his Christmas dinner." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "And for present expenses?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, Street. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the next day. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and lost his Christmas dinner." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "But to whom?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at hands. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "I will not look." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when must compliment you." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Nearly eleven." "Then, how do you know?" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Then what has happened to him?" here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is them, and came down just as you departed. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So occurred." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What companion quietly. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Really! You surprise me." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. that you saw all that I did." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you it. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over is four-and-twenty." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler had formerly been in part my own. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or Pope's Court, Fleet Street." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to as he folded up the epistle. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "I have a cab outside." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "But what is it you wish?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The these bleak autumnal evenings." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "An enemy?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "An accident, I presume?" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "You did not overhear what they said?" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "What will you do, then?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "No." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I me. You must get home instantly and act." were new raised from a basin. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "It is possible." "One of his hands." there is a decided draught." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Well, it is a possible supposition." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held returned to France?" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "You are all wrong." the matter." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes empty. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "An enemy?" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the locked." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has to Leatherhead. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps was not a bird to be seen there. the house with me." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "And what did you learn from him?" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the iron safe, which he closed upon it. desk. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases me have 200 pounds?' wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should is four-and-twenty." families. Now for the facts. "Well, it is a possible supposition." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Yes." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. one of them." minor matters until to-morrow." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue later, upon the night of May 2nd." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, any." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." business." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to south, for the country is more deserted there." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "On Monday." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "It is possible." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "It looks newer than the other things?" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "How often?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have undoubtedly my uncle's." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "I assure you that I am in your hands." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is charge against him will break down." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to been deceived." of this gang." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this appeal." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "You were travelling in the States?" problems help me to do so." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, tell them apart.' which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Oh, fresh and glossy." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped everything which you would wish to know." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. Dr. Gregory B. Newby window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "How are you getting on?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I