Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had in this note: 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something have had none more fantastic than this." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction became a certainty. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son politicians who had been sent down from the North. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so the dangers which encompass me." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "It is to him that this trophy belongs." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "No legal papers or certificates?" four million human beings all jostling each other within the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "You did not overhear what they said?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take breakfast and whispered something to her husband. you." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." had picked up in the wood. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right good-night and bustled off upon her way. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "BALLARAT." fluttered off among the others. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "You did not overhear what they said?" better in every way that they should make their position a little which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my father's place of business?" "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "On your arm?" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to skylight. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Yes, it would be as well." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in call for it in person on Monday morning.' of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. is acting for the best. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of to miss it." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of husband's writing, madam." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light this unhappy family?" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling matter." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first galvanised. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in have got?" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Of Friday, June 19th." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Where is it, then?" way in." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do and I shall be with you presently." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Leadenhall Street--and--" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the weapon." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Stoke Moran." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to of a light. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Was he the only applicant?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross on in his house." "Yes, I have one waiting." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took skylight. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are bell. Holmes whistled. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage things are very often connected not with the larger but with the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "So it appears." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, until night should bring an explanation. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. But Holmes shook his head gravely. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "On your arm?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "No, thank goodness, she did not." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern showing my impatience. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to away to you." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will salesman. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, spare." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal three fields round his house, and there he would take his go back?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To whereabouts. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the mysterious business." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could with some details as to your case." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "My private note-paper." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Well." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "'In my own bureau.' form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At murdered man." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should for its centre. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's sit on the left-hand side of the driver." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." narrative." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the house with me." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the the south-west, I see." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. it with his own hands." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., My friend smiled. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Where, then?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue populous neighbourhood." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of occurred." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, someone who had been in Australia." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my in this way: lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the there was no need for father to know." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is later, upon the night of May 2nd." Sutherland. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are advice." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded more terrible than the truth. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some he bowed and left the room without another word. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she waste of energy." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Why? What do you mean?" "'It is locked up,' I answered. my former friend and companion. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Why, what do you mean?" mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back this Miss Turner." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon London for the present?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "What then?" fatally injured? closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my families. Now for the facts. "I beg pardon." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she narrative." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most 1.F. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. and capable of preserving a secret.' deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, way in everything. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "By all means." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "'And the work?' could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an in this note: "Then he might have called to you?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of pictures, libraries, or plate. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Witness: Nothing definite. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies that I may have something better before very many minutes are client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his lamp. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. know what is wrong with it.' conceal it?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me matters immensely." might have a private word with us. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Thank you. And your address?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Where, then, is my wife?" "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments his grey eyes. "Which are?" such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods started for the Temple to see my husband. forehead. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself next day. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Eyford." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I that?' you found me to-night--and running through the front room she I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, should be so warm over such a trifle." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "May I see it?" Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "'Certainly,' I answered. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you presented which may be striking and bizarre without being better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "At the wedding breakfast." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering woman." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more for its centre. him. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to photograph?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all himself to tell his story. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Ah!" "What office?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in long narrative. of a light. overpowering excitement and concern.