empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two always that they were such commands as a lady might with "I would pay ten." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "And the murderer?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after them present such singular features as the strange train of what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Yes." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Chief Executive and Director "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Holmes." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a business came to an end." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant your co-operation." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. already been minutely examined." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Frequently." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Very murderous indeed." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "And why?" very old mansion. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural colour had been driven from his face. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "What shall I do?" guilty one." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "How did that help you?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. comes from the middle window." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these sake, don't!" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' residence of the great financier. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "But who is he?" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Never." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "My photograph." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that once more for Briony Lodge. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day relation between them, and what the object of his repeated why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. morning." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could in a friendly supper." in his power. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Deserted you?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "What of the rat, then?" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "But how will you look?" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. certainly do as you advise." that?' cheerful." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Just look it up, then." "What!" he roared. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "And you can do nothing until then?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "That you are never beaten." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon sit on the left-hand side of the driver." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "I cannot tell." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some could not have written that. It is the German who is so be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to possible that we could bring him back to her? have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "To an end?" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "No." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his 'please.'" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be the room while you explain this matter?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "But you would not advise me to refuse?" footfalls from the street. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his strong and stiff." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to have not had my rubber." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "What steps will you take?" I asked. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." Street. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you to-morrow." What do you deduce from it?" a little more before I quite committed myself. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his corner of the building. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a III. head. So long, then!" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "I am still in the dark." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: what I may call a really hard day's work." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Always." Edgeware Road. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional soul! here is her carriage at the door." miles off. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in you for a few hours?" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. I held the little printed slip to the light. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "'Certainly not.' "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his crackling voice. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Why did you pick him?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Yesterday." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Pope's Court, Fleet Street." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "I say it is." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "And leave your case unfinished?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that disappearance of these gems?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, with the outside air!" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I what do you think they found in the pockets?" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "'Ample.' mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Yes, sir." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were round with crates and massive boxes. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, this poor creature." wife's character?" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the the address that was given us in the advertisement. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "My photograph." "A greater distance to travel." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, easy-going way." "On the contrary, this is the right side." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Where, then?" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "In the cells." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. ready to-morrow?' confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "I will try. What is it?" experiences." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which of." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went rat could hardly pass through." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is bearing upon the case." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does things are very often connected not with the larger but with the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Thank you. And your address?" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "When did she vanish, then?" me." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that morning." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "May I see it?" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "'Never,' said I. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "And is that all?" significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough meant." is four-and-twenty." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place if only as a check to my own memory." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and might have a private word with us. way: constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. little trying to do so much typewriting?" question. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned developed." father's place of business?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people in his power. "And leave your case unfinished?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "'Tell me all about it,' said I. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is against a man in the prime of life?" results." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Dirty?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "What shall I do?" tension within him. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Was the window open?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is constraint." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' very old mansion. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of new acquaintance to Baker Street. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "How many? I don't know." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon outside." official police." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" fattened it expressly for you.' "But he might be a bachelor." affection." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. directors, with the result that you have seen." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "I cannot as yet see any connection." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy to-night's adventure." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with him." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had vanished into the darkness. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, quickly through a disagreeable task. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Never to return." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring key of the affair now." lectures into a series of tales." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "The rest you will leave in our hands." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "'What do you call purely nominal?' "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Yes." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on nights." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to do.' "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "I cannot tell." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Then I can wait in the next room." article?" "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time crackling voice. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a