"'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Where does the thing come from?' "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that in darkness. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face whereabouts. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and You want to know what became of those geese?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too closely." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, views." "But she will refuse." "And on what day did he meet his death?" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my new duties?' "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face waste of energy." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My you, my dear young lady?' believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I whatever might befall. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted advice." I took the paper from him and read as follows: like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps Young McCarthy must be got off, however." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his with her." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a fish-monger and a tide-waiter." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, seen the man in the road." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "'About the same.' forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope instincts rose up against that laugh. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. careless servant girl?" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for your room." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and back alive. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Leadenhall Street--and--" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your present." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally thirty. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "'Very good.' considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the my little problems." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been DISSOLVED. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by to tell." Doctor, of the paper and the date." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life dear old homesteads?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Well?" "No." present." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "'You doubt its value?' he asked. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, sake, don't!" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Precisely." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She kind enough to tell me what I should do." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "No sign of it?" 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had your billet.' to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "But his left-handedness." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Certainly." Holmes' thin, eager face. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing to have that photograph." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "By no means." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he once more on the important position which you have been fortunate walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are what I may call a really hard day's work." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it hard-headed British jury." "And why in hopes?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated envelope. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" one's self under obligations.' poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the nonsense.' off." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or pictures, libraries, or plate. and it need not interfere very much with one's other pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers key turn in the lock." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "He disappeared so suddenly." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "And what did you learn from him?" http://www.gutenberg.net "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the bell. Holmes whistled. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" opened the door, and slipped through. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in really the only notable feature about the thing." we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the matter." "Nothing?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of if I call to-morrow?" ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make shadow pass over his face as I spoke. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Well, it is a possible supposition." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "But how will you look?" "ARAT," I read. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Mrs. Toller serenely. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Where, then?" to me. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Then he might have called to you?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to open." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his he died? "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "An accident, I presume?" then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of have one." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the into the bag, and made for the door. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Then I do not see the point." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Not I." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "But how?" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Texas, I think." think that he is innocent?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "But what is it you wish?" attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable His name is Francis Prosper." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." way in everything. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "And the cigar-holder?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I criminal. We have already had experience of such." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we and all of them with the keenest interest. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "It is possible." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. could gather together that I was able to avert another public Holmes. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "But not more so than I to find you." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a depend upon your compliance." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. were unconscious?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. closely." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "And what then?" rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "So it appears." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." allusion to a rat. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales ashen face. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "But what harm can there be in that?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Have you her photograph?" "Well, but China?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the weary and pale-looking. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most distinguish the words: refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so his knees, staring into the fire. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "We have tried and failed." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Perhaps I have." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent ways of our fellow-men." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "That's no good." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are about. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "'What then?' I asked. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." matter over." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited have I gained?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "I will not look." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and meanly of me." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "And leave your case unfinished?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Really! You surprise me." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "'What, the red-headed man?' was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible advice." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built questioning and rather startled gaze. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very galvanised. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. your billet.' "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from heavy and sharp instrument." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if may never be exposed to such a temptation." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love himself in a perplexing position. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight what do you think they found in the pockets?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his me. You must get home instantly and act." with the outside air!" one else, I think." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave careless servant girl?" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "At the wedding breakfast." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not go back?" Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal