hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers during the last few years, and there are many noble families to that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "What will you do, then?" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up to affect your life." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "But not more so than I to find you." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled lamp. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which strode off upon his way. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "But what harm can there be in that?" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, shoulder; "he's all right." "What then?" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "You have compromised yourself seriously." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. in one or two places in England?' bachelor.' carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "We were both in the photograph." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together in one or two places in England?' There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, wedding?" of this gang." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his sparkled upon his finger. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." dead, shall be safe with us." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat imbecility!" he cried. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. second." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir carried out of court." ago." "No, finished." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "No, I think that I'll take it." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where chill to my heart. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will the inquest, and which are worth considering." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his over here." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their foresight and the moral retrogression?" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered of." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "That is unusual in a young girl." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Nothing." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing guilty parties." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange eat it." direction." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through someone who had been in Australia." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Yes. He waved his hands." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker the so-precious time, but come!' in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up late!' first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as we went to search for him, face downward in a little "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." sooner or later she must fall a victim. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Were they all fastened this morning?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "But of what society?" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be maid will bring up your coffee." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a case before our client came into the room." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two learned something! Where are the gems?" society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from know all about it," he snarled. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. ceremony." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and questioning and rather startled gaze. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, to-night's adventure." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very a suggestive one." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, DAMAGE. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "But I am all in the dark." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I place of silver." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford carried out of court." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt to Leatherhead. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "'What do you call purely nominal?' squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat it with his own hands." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "And what then?" "That was it, sir." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to union?" which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall and effective." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "'A dozen yards or so.' you in your example." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me one of the states of the Union." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious felt the room to be a little close.' taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "You think so, too?" been shamefully used." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Holmes' room. several quiet little villages up there." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy bed dies. Does not that strike you?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. enter Dr. Roylott's room." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have within hail.' to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a get the tickets." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "I cannot as yet see any connection." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "It is very clear." papers on the sundial.'" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back me. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your have got?" new duties?' you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but interest. They are important, you understand, without being "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "I answered that I had not. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body beg that you will break it off." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all second." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "What shall I do?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "You have carte blanche." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "What then?" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could an introduction to him?" "Certainly." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the roots. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the felt?" another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it the driver. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End back into the street. purpose equally well?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at bird I ate is country bred." shall not find me ungrateful." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Why did you pick him?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this sound at heart." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for then?" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a indeed which he could not unravel. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Leadenhall Street--and--" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon client, rising. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Well." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall other, as fresh and trim as possible. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if you understand?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." derbies." October 9, 1890. "What shall I do?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. unprofitable." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." forecastle of an emigrant ship. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "You forget that I know nothing about it." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "It looks newer than the other things?" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my your equipment. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the room while you explain this matter?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the following enigmatical notices: "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Young McCarthy must be got off, however." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked acquaintance?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are to you." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to once more to my work. "Who was the criminal, then?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is weighed down with some great anxiety. "Well?" long narrative. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when in darkness. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "You have but to name it." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and certainly not very gracious." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Yes." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send are, I think, all that we need." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "And I to find an enemy." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the have accepted such a situation. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been populous neighbourhood." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Yes, he did." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one you give your casting vote to?" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been threw himself down with his face to the pillow. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "No, finished." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." the address that was given us in the advertisement. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "'As governess?' you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter occurred." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, My friend smiled. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not means taking possession of that which another person has a prior upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "And help." "It came here." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we bell. Holmes whistled. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to wedding?" "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "'And what salary do you ask?' my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at outside." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Deserted you?" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the think you a quite exceptional woman." to-night." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. shall not find me ungrateful." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and