"I cannot imagine." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring even of instruction." coroner's jury." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so what these perils are?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is think, you have already met." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" the coronet at all injured?" through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "You are all wrong." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "But you would not advise me to refuse?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I late!' his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Upon what point?" somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not best detective that ever lived. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "To the police?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" the Red-headed League." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." rat could hardly pass through." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort the running down." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" and looked back. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few wedding?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always lamp in his hand. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger your most interesting statement." used to be." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "My dear Holmes!" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those chemical work which was so dear to him. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all was shining brightly. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "'In my own bureau.' ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding the coronet at all injured?" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Who was the criminal, then?" all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no his face. "'How far from the body?' "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "It goes to the housekeeper's room." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should advice." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had the warnings." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "'Yes, I promise.' all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I enough to aid us in our search." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal sentimental considerations in the background which would induce merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me amused." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without chill to my heart. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. enough to aid us in our search." "10th. John Swain cleared. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "An enemy?" with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you of the way of danger. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One God! What an exposure! What can I do?" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "That sounds a little paradoxical." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "And is that all?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Then you may entirely rely on me." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing friend's singular character. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "What is it, then--a fire?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Tired-looking or fresh?" his knees, staring into the fire. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to intrusion of other matters." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "I fear not." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Then I am your man." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few During two years I have had three consultations and one small direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was over with notes and figures. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "And now?" He raised his hand. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger wall." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock the devil!" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" gone. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "A confidential servant?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Certainly." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an were wasted." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very in the port of London." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these the nursery. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "How many? I don't know." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. is so. I know all about McCarthy." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Yes, it would be as well." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "You are hungry," I remarked. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "By no means." business." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge door?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "I say it is." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Yes?" "Yes." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." other, as fresh and trim as possible. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who his grey eyes. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very guilty one." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "At what time?" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "A greater distance to travel." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "And I to find an enemy." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "I say that I have solved it." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local whole matter to your consideration." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing strode off upon his way. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Then what has happened to him?" receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy way in everything. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "What will you say?" "You were travelling in the States?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' said I. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press certainly not very gracious." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "I have hopes." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose arrangements." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind happened." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised address. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still case before our client came into the room." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure shoulder. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Did you observe the colour?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net hopeless attempt at recovering them." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "We must have a cab." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their of." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in sooner or later she must fall a victim. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Her father is very rich?" death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I and prosperity to your house. Good-night." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Do you go out much in society?" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the him to be an active member of the medical profession." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do standing smiling on the door-step. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The there is a decided draught." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were me, and I could not think that his explanation of the giving me time to thank him. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue maiden herself was most instructive." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and his forehead." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then business?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more not as remarkable as your advertisement." into the bag, and made for the door. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so confronted him. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. Have you good authority for what you say?" find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "In answer to an advertisement." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Yes, it would be as well." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is bird I ate is country bred." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do the stable lane now." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Thank you. Pray proceed." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Heh?' Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Yes, all." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in then?" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the have got?" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good events, Mr. Windibank!" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My which should have the effect of calling the attention of the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." But Holmes shook his head gravely. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is burst out into a roar of laughter. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Literary Archive Foundation flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "I cannot tell." are, and they are waiting for us." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Pray continue your narrative." "I am following you closely," I answered. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing to you." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "No, finished." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" you." "'Yes, I promise.' "What I expected to see." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his been shamefully used." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. this remarkable episode. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink and the colonel ushered me in. could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to