be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. present." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which room. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a and all of them with the keenest interest. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" shall use the carriage to-night." "Imitated." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of wall." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their good for you to do.' Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with fattened it expressly for you.' I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in burst out into a roar of laughter. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Why did you pick him?" that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "A confidential servant?" "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy to arrive at through this?" Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "We must have a cab." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, http://www.gutenberg.net "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, drawing your inferences." shoulder. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "I have a cab outside." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." should be so warm over such a trifle." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your His name is Francis Prosper." remarked. that you can jump it.' are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Then I can wait in the next room." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "In heaven's name, what for?" he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses invisible to me," I remarked. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Yes." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I correct than the official force." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, and I shall be with you presently." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "But how did you gain them?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." bare slabs of marble. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of your sleep?' mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of read it out to me." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "That is unusual in a young girl." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "'Ten to two.' to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "You will not go there first?" pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum light and attacked it." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled later, upon the night of May 2nd." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this few hundred pounds.' than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "A greater distance to travel." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the were new raised from a basin. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "She told me to ask you." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The the morning and make my own way in the world.' wife's character?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am said I. was used.' thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical allusion to a rat. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had should be so warm over such a trifle." something of him before." "Well, but China?" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of you came in." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so any little problem which you may submit to me." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to hurried by. him to go away.' again, where I was soon asleep. infinite languor in his face. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook weary and pale-looking. orange pips. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "This photograph!" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it get her out of the way." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "On the contrary, this is the right side." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Breckinridge is his name." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings when you have done it." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Where is it, then?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet hand, madam?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my the matter?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Certainly." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining trifles." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting had picked up in the wood. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given The events in question occurred in the early days of my "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I my special province." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon it with his own hands." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn directors, with the result that you have seen." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London You want to know what became of those geese?" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "And Irene Adler?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no at my remark. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," this Miss Turner." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish happened." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Watson," he said cordially. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "This concluded the examination of the witness." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in directly by questioning you." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a of." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. is so. I know all about McCarthy." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle such attractions and accomplishments?' to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Serpentine Avenue. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his the stable lane now." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I of." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you minor matters until to-morrow." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried cup of tea. the driver. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Entirely." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Yes." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard sentimental considerations in the background which would induce from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a again, where I was soon asleep. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich light and attacked it." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small of this gang." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Nearly eleven." was not a bird to be seen there. hour?' about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Pope's Court. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to and glanced through. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The was lame." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the you?" the loss of it. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Well, but China?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The never to learn it at all." have an American origin." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite child?' instituted." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its mystery may be cleared along those lines." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as security.' "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he examine." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, points in connection with it which never have been, and probably affair. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "None." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "And you can do nothing until then?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have minor matters until to-morrow." and no precautions can guard against." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we away in different directions, and I went off to make my own reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the shall not find me ungrateful." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs national property. I was determined that the law should have its whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Game for a morning drive?" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to because she had spent so short a time in this country that she layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my the house with me." "The vanishing of the lady." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "You did not overhear what they said?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" annoyance, but no jest. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Very. But will he see it?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "He might." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, a little more before I quite committed myself. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since quite distinctive." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Well, but China?" the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to passage and a tap at the door. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed for the market.' charge against him will break down." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "'And the work?' "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the which are rolled in Rotterdam." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Entirely." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as the running down." the house with me." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "But I have heard all that you have heard." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless hair?' "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic to tell." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush kind enough to tell me what I should do." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when anything to a woman, for she would have her way." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Then I shall certainly come." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "But we can't all be." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Stolen, then." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young flock.' police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the politicians who had been sent down from the North. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "'I have heard so.' "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the night.' "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by and the church but not where the lady lived." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece.