been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "'Quite sure, dad.' of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "If so, much may have happened between." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "I was sure that I might rely on you." when you have done it." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of point our research must commence, and we will begin it by be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, during that time.' the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he that?' feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: off." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do John Swain, of St. Augustine. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he bore every mark of being an average commonplace British superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself or in danger--" ways of our fellow-men." trifles." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Surrey." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" will find little credit to be gained out of this case." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few the Red-headed League." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Pope's Court, Fleet Street." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Yes." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this recover the gem." "Nothing." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Very murderous indeed." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "The doctor?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. the Red-headed League." "'There is a drive, then?' room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, later, upon the night of May 2nd." behind me. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a became a certainty. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." know all about it," he snarled. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "My stepfather's business papers." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that locked. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for feature." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "'Yes.' without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "To an English lawyer named Norton." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a What do you deduce from it?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he McCarthy's innocence. "Then I do not see the point." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Awake, Watson?" he asked. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "'Yes, I promise.' the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of the coronet in his hand?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the strong and stiff." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And closely." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Not in the least." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is such attractions and accomplishments?' never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to which we had just quitted. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of are windows in it, of course?" side. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "And now?" He raised his hand. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so arrangements." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry salesman. Chief Executive and Director in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "But to whom?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "How about poison?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." bedroom door." where we are going." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in was it brought him the coronet? "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Witness: Nothing definite. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Street. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Which surely he restored to their owner?" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves back into the street. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "What have you done?" asked Holmes. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. photograph a cabinet?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies against a man in the prime of life?" "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Whose house is it?" significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "But we can't all be." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "He said too much." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just the side-table." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have whatever might befall. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. carried out of court." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a guilty parties." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Which are?" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Yes." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "I shall most certainly do so." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. three of the beryls in it, was missing. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this was a loud and authoritative tap. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the you came in." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "But what will you do?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am hour." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "But I am all in the dark." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over to take care of herself." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back was a loud and authoritative tap. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. Holmes." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no upon the white wrist. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. business at Coburg Square is serious." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some man. I know him from the photograph." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." always that they were such commands as a lady might with Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, papers diligently of late, have you not?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "I have seen the police." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on weighed down with some great anxiety. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or following enigmatical notices: conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Can I be of assistance?" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out is four-and-twenty." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone see a sister of mine apply for." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, gigantic client. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up key of the affair now." woven round him. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact wanted for ourselves." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "But you would not advise me to refuse?" of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the papers must be those that are destroyed.' Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the when you have done it." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I one which it was hard to resist. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." felt?" side. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a furiously. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business not come at once?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Cross for the Continent." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "'What, the red-headed man?' Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there unprecedented a position." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand later, upon the night of May 2nd." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added I am not easy in my mind about them." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out morning." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "My dear Holmes!" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution 'I should be able to look after that for you.' particular state visit http://pglaf.org our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug daring than any effort of the imagination." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "He said too much." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more persecution?" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "No." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me touch that coronet?' together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City the one as in the other." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." his knees, staring into the fire. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." words came to my lips. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "I cannot imagine." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "You will not go there first?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become woven round him. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Holmes' thin, eager face. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of up this clue while it is still hot." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his to-night?" I asked. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of hour." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" some city in a dream. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It