disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be guilty one." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were fashion which was peculiar to him. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly quick march!" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "'Certainly not. But why?' I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his was a loud and authoritative tap. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your so far?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was fasten all the windows?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, think you a quite exceptional woman." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly drawing your inferences." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "I have my revolver," said I. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding strong and stiff." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "'Never,' said I. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable that was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was quick march!" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which room?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came strange features which were associated with the two crimes which abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "How about poison?" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Your sister is dead, then?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I and a shock of very red hair. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he an introduction to him?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "There is the writing." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." Watson," he said cordially. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her quick march!" you do it in twenty minutes!' going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will do.' you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from stalked out of the room. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are anything to do with the matter?" situation." the station." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something best detective that ever lived. hurried away. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Certainly." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in sparkled upon his finger. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few father's place of business?" have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "It is possible." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free only touch the interest." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found he died? civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "What!" he roared. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might which our visitor detailed to us. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass nights." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "And I say east," said my patient. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "And what then?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If morning." "Then what has happened to him?" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It to-night." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate morning." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew room. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands was a loud and authoritative tap. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." occurred." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. later, upon the night of May 2nd." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was for the market.' The police have openly confessed that they can at present make rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you as noiselessly as she had come. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, appeal." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Then you may entirely rely on me." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in and inquire as to the address." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from meant it for the best. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. of receipt of the work. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "'As governess?' "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a is so. I know all about McCarthy." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his that?' He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you fait accompli?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was was feeling which was the fattest.' crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we views." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Why did you pick him?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine III. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from voice, changing her seat as requested. colour had been driven from his face. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Where did you address your letters, then?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. pierced for earrings?" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for place of silver." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "But I am all in the dark." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "'Certainly not.' the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "'I have already given you my word.' betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for might help us?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "She showed me, as I told you she would." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, me where it went to?" He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "And why?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a the armchair which I pushed forward for him. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you and capable of preserving a secret.' when your master had gone out." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each other lovers by making love himself." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no business matters.' all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "I answered that I had not. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think front of me. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Then I do not see the point." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Certainly." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid lost his Christmas dinner." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while felt the room to be a little close.' stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Your sister is dead, then?" tension within him. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his in the port of London." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger from you?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled simple cases which are so extremely difficult." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, writer." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to and no precautions can guard against." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Pool. photograph?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Precisely." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, walking." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No of." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Holmes' thin, eager face. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old you." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted secret." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Where, then?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil to change my dress. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. stood on the top of it. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his outside. round and wave him away like that.' our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," McCarthy." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" mysterious end." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Yes." should be so warm over such a trifle." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. telegram would bring me down to your help." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running colour had been driven from his face. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the writer." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in his cane at the bell-pull. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "In San Francisco, a year ago." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Really! You surprise me." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" companion quietly. "'Very good.' "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Then I shall certainly come." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat Leadenhall Street--and--" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without secret." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all it? Did I buy the geese off you?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Yes, at the mines." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark indeed which he could not unravel. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "But I have heard all that you have heard." chamber." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as his wife has ceased to love him." "I don't say that. Perhaps." past. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." towards the blaze. "'I shall certainly be there.' in my life." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some shoulder. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for affection." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" was not a bird to be seen there. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. meant." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "'How far from the body?' relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when,