have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" presented more singular features than that which was associated the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace London for the present?" was it brought him the coronet? daring than any effort of the imagination." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the was lame." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went business." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the speckled band?" upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite said he. begun to whiten, even as mine has." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "I will try. What is it?" forebodings. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set a monotonous occupation." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" friend's singular character. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" nothing of it?" "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the stable lane now." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "No bad?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "You think that he is dead?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. to a light-house. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had asked with his eyes open. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to conduct the inquiry." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." redistribution. "To the police?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" very old mansion. spare." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's writers could invent nothing more crude." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his suspect him." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate conclusions. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "No?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to charge against him will break down." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and shadow pass over his face as I spoke. floor. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story For additional contact information: week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "'I have heard so.' "The Coroner: What do you mean? hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "I am following you closely," I answered. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. once more. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of The King stared at him in amazement. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the beg that you will break it off." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he indiscretion." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated not within a twentieth part of the market price." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "On your arm?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Where does the thing come from?' the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall said he, "my real name is James Ryder." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about to-night?" I asked. system of imprisonment?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at security.' they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the memory. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Not particularly." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "I see many objections to any such theory." I think that I could be of assistance to you." coroner's jury." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Eh? What was that?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black never came back." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in window when the police appeared." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He young Openshaw's." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and than was visible to me." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall will find little credit to be gained out of this case." at my remark. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "No good news?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying know that the truth is known." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "No bad?" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that rooms." "Yes, but only for you and me." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his cigars in the box." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "In heaven's name, what for?" photograph a cabinet?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Absolutely?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "We have tried and failed." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any imbecility!" he cried. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Her father is very rich?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had could not account in any way for the presence of the missing that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a likely to be some crony of the landlady's." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "I cannot imagine." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the main points of my analysis." dead, shall be safe with us." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post a good hundred miles off by now." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." father's young wife. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to vanished into the darkness. "Not social, then?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in and effective." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly prison!" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, down. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's served to weaken the effect. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If during the last few years, and there are many noble families to door?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "No good news?" position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about are, and they are waiting for us." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this pressing in one house as in another. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself ago." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I forehead. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so my friend's incisive reasoning. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all delirious. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was His name is Francis Prosper." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation records." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Certainly." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "You forget that I know nothing about it." thirty. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. stepfather?" "'And what salary do you ask?' "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some shall use the carriage to-night." sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor upon the shelf for the interim." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that British peeress.'" every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded most interesting one." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you acquaintance?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no bare slabs of marble. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a works. States. bearing upon the case." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a locked. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, know what is wrong with it.' himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just eavesdroppers?' that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of writing, and yet I know it well." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a tightly behind him. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the you." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were writers could invent nothing more crude." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of strong reason behind." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a him to go away.' was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich congratulate you again." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features golden eyeglasses. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he present." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Ample." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to attention." me what he had done with the three missing stones. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Could he throw no light?" think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." as he remarks, very much against the son." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms point in the dark hollow of his hand. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but him nearly every evening." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker such attractions and accomplishments?' "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" client, rising. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Thank you. And your address?" was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab,