an introduction to him?" "Certainly, madam." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' over part of the map. "What do you read?" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to you, my dear young lady?' without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate to-night?" I asked. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay enough to aid us in our search." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Farm upon the left." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "So I heard. You have him here?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. at home. four million human beings all jostling each other within the we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Ha! you find it so?" deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "But the mystery?" dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Yes, I have one waiting." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the most interesting one." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "What have you to say now?" crackling voice. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air putting in the horse. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was hardly wander." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The forehead. man. I know him from the photograph." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new yards of it?' done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. late!' provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "What do you mean?" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Quite so. She has her freedom." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the I. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography upon the shelf for the interim." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since had died away into the silence from which it rose. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Eh? What was that?" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Which are?" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Where, then?" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "My private note-paper." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. sufficient punishment." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "No, finished." "It is half-past ten now." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and tell them apart.' The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "You are hungry," I remarked. his face. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or The summons was a brief and urgent one. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." bears upon the case?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" once more. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so results." "Not social, then?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the learned something! Where are the gems?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an burst out into a roar of laughter. situation." breakfast." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "In San Francisco, a year ago." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire society." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "At what time?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "'What, the red-headed man?' in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master point our research must commence, and we will begin it by and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was was the fact that his father should, according to his account, have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah photograph?" becomes even more simple." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen made his money." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are are, and they are waiting for us." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "My dear Holmes!" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" purpose equally well?" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the pierced for earrings?" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' II. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the words came to my lips. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Pray continue your narrative." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly union?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "And I to find an enemy." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "She told me to ask you." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and answered with a sidelong glance. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and sneer upon his pale face. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, like gravel from a pit.' "'Why that?' I asks. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Yes." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life British peeress.'" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, in his hands." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with noble correspondent could be. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a thirty. straighten it?" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Then, how do you know?" look dissatisfied." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "No." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves shoulder. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "You saw the ventilator, too?" you." "They are typewritten," I remarked. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable words came to my lips. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "How are you getting on?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Oh, fresh and glossy." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "How long did she speak to this Alice?" compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman go from here to the Strand." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which closely." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded appeal." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in foresight and the moral retrogression?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Yes." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against shag which I had seen upon the previous night. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She pressing in one house as in another. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House unclasping of his long thin hands. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "I should be immensely obliged to you." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it the morning and make my own way in the world.' "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and delighted to hear it," he said. vanished into the darkness. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an minor matters until to-morrow." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and photograph?" on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Munro.' me. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face that I can to serve you." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I see me here to avoid scandal." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I of the vacancies.' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" chair. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Pray be precise as to details," said he. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself before the coroner and the police-court." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her chance at all." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long approach us with offers to donate. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me examination of the premises, but without finding anything which loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for me upon any point which I do not make clear." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Well, it is a possible supposition." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "And sit in the dark?" and no precautions can guard against." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Did your wife hear all this?" dramatic, in fact." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his of the efforts of the United States government and of the better is four-and-twenty." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may galvanised. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet forbidden door. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. open." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the outside." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, politicians who had been sent down from the North. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross trifles." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "It was a confession," I ejaculated. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "'You doubt its value?' he asked. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "I answered that I had not. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "In San Francisco, a year ago." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the your own bird, so if you wish--" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part me. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "And leave your case unfinished?" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside strength." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to future lives." "I say it is." over with notes and figures. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and