them?" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "It surprised me." redistribution. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in it." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a him to be an active member of the medical profession." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. did not hear it also.' never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" and looked back. see me here to avoid scandal." residence of the great financier. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were salesman. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "From his hat?" "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "My dear Holmes!" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came less than 26s. 4d. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Yes." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "One of his hands." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has you." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is and no precautions can guard against." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Cross for the Continent." respectable self." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Come in!" said he. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "I would give my fortune to have them back." said I. lost his Christmas dinner." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water asked. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed as yours." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch go--none." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." more solid." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper His name is Francis Prosper." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that drawing your inferences." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with furiously. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair appeal." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, matter." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man the stable lane now." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, was a lad." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to wedding?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a joking. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be gone. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Absolutely none." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, less than 26s. 4d. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a make me his representative both with the servants and with the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Yes, certainly." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary plantation.' "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a The summons was a brief and urgent one. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, one which it was hard to resist. ready to-morrow?' business at Coburg Square is serious." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your The events in question occurred in the early days of my Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country humiliation." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, swore that no one else had been in the front room during the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" if only as a check to my own memory." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "You think so, too?" with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She paper in the air. "It missed him, then?" "She told me to ask you." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Look there!" said he. "Quite so." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless have one." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in conversation I have gathered that they have been married about liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal nonsense.' ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the all that?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. an introduction to him?" employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue straightened it out again. vanished into the darkness. way: as he remarks, very much against the son." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. this as likely?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "And how have you succeeded?" you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was hour?' "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Will you go?" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Project Gutenberg-tm works. "What have you to say now?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce arrangements." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "I never have." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of may have an influence upon European history." "'Is purely nominal.' "What?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a investigation." of campaign. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "I beg pardon." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Nothing." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three together. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "In what way?" asked Holmes. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The DAMAGE. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I sofa. This way, please!" depend upon your compliance." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned place of silver." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune cigars in the box." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "What do you make of that, Watson?" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "'Very good.' the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have in him." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out in your London, you will know that the office of the company is o'clock is it?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." him to go away.' he bowed and left the room without another word. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Holmes' face clouded over. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up be.' you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in look upon these things in a different way." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the cigars in the box." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I side. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Certainly, madam." The King stared at him in amazement. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, death." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending in him." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "What will you say?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "You are hungry," I remarked. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my completely overtopped every other consideration that we both myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock see me here to avoid scandal." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Eyford at 11:15.' but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United noting anything else of interest. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "It is solved." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he the dangers which encompass me." "I shall be delighted." touch that coronet?' for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was would apply.' only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "And what then?" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "How often?" Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." coat-tails." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "My dear Holmes!" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "It was a confession," I ejaculated. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the any little problem which you may submit to me." very morning of my second wedding." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "'I am sure if I had known--' away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the you, my dear young lady?' with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before bonnet, and went out." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "I have a cab outside." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "You forget that I know nothing about it." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And and the church but not where the lady lived." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and foot. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the that I can to serve you." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Holmes, the busybody!" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying breakfast." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so