His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do amused." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous have an American origin." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "But what harm can there be in that?" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "She will not sell." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his did not hear it also.' have established a very serious case against the son of the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "I don't say that. Perhaps." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Was the window open?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and pictures, libraries, or plate. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the remarked. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "A confidential servant?" refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left you do it in twenty minutes!' this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want disturbance in my wife." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of was a loud and authoritative tap. in this note: points to suicide?" "How did you trace it, then?" think, you have already met." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would dramatic, in fact." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "'Yes.' you do it in twenty minutes!' Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of chamber." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Farm upon the left." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "But what will you do?" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very fluttered off among the others. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon not use it unless it is absolutely needed." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the should be so warm over such a trifle." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Then he might have called to you?" returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "To ruin me." "No." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be unprecedented a position." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "That is easily got." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable it. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would astonishment. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "But it has twice been burgled." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its washing it down with a long draught of water. "Entirely." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "That is also quite modern," said the lady. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "How about poison?" to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek that the gas is not laid on in his house?" ready to-morrow?' through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but opened a pocket-book and took out a note. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." said he at last. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a into the room. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give to have been novel and of interest." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I thin, with a long, sharp nose?" stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 all that?" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought the date of his supposed suicide." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Who was the criminal, then?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to and have this put in the evening papers." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Texas, I think." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It of campaign. "How did that help you?" voice, changing her seat as requested. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the said I. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his hour." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of girl said." "Nothing." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "No, I am descending." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. crime. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master works. See paragraph 1.E below. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who his wife has ceased to love him." points to suicide?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil once more for Briony Lodge. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may keep the flames under. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." stepfather?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He carpenter." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have gone. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little go back?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" think, you have already met." "I am about to be married." "And leave your case unfinished?" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a them?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Doctor, of the paper and the date." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "I shall most certainly do so." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are said he at last. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "My Mary? Impossible!" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "I see no marks." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said lectures into a series of tales." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Thank you. Pray proceed." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "He is still with you, I presume?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark have got?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the name is different." "Breckinridge is his name." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "By no means." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" once more. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they some mystery and the punishment of some crime." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "I came to find a friend." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant coroner's jury." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Is he quiet?" amused." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much bore every mark of being an average commonplace British or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Certainly." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Pray do so." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "So I have heard." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note But Holmes shook his head gravely. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "But how could you guess what the motive was?" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in weary and pale-looking. "Your presence might be invaluable." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though geese which you supplied to the Alpha." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she relief. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable writing, and yet I know it well." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Will you go?" written. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more to take care of herself." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, them present such singular features as the strange train of the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which went to the Alpha were town bred." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Again Holmes raved in the air. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: all?" case-book, which he consulted. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the October 9, 1890. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing discontent upon his features. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such gigantic client. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium lost his Christmas dinner." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed pierced for earrings?" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "And who is her maid?" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood impression behind it as though a window had gently closed where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, enter into my head. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a existence." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "On your arm?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to go back?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way companion imperturbably. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. the loss of it. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "None." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "And what did you learn from him?" arrested. You then--" congenial hunt. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "But to whom?" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "VIOLET HUNTER." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE gbnewby@pglaf.org eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander them?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours which was all perfectly true. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the eat it." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the something of him before." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and against a man in the prime of life?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It intrusion of other matters." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "I have come for advice." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not over part of the map. "What do you read?" not personally threatened." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is walking." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at the general public were present, then?" coat-tails." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "And sit in the dark?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in constraint." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "'Stolen!' he cried. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Pray tell us what has happened to you."