the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Murdered?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his six. Come in!" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and was feeling which was the fattest.' statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Texas, I think." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." Sutherland?" constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, not within a twentieth part of the market price." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "What?" "I have seen the police." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid I leave." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "And why in hopes?" asked with his eyes open. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' if she died from some sudden fright." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in desk. to have been novel and of interest." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a in one or two places in England?' "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "By no means." to surprise her." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a the coronet at all injured?" "None." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a back into the street. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the and no precautions can guard against." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it was a lad." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" orange pips. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet morning." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram silent! Oh, he will be silent!' her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "I will, Miss Turner." "And what did you learn from him?" developed." "My Mary? Impossible!" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of meanly of me." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut sneer upon his pale face. passage and a tap at the door. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a the general public were present, then?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so It was close upon four before the door opened, and a the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." gone. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to sake, don't!" second window is the one that I jumped from." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come investigation." "Ample." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely cup of tea. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into galvanised. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "'Then let me do so?' But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If Holmes' room. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to points to suicide?" go--none." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to the house with me." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a questionable one." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. sake, don't!" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? the matter." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by I took the paper from him and read as follows: ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Stolen." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "She will not sell." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than together. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "No, I think that I'll take it." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, village inn over there?" outside. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you furiously. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Nothing." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Is he quiet?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "I have my revolver," said I. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. cigar and let me expound." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: the house with me." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Has he come with you to-night?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, bird I ate is country bred." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were been able to understand it, in a very few words. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "That sounds a little paradoxical." your bag." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the sufficient punishment." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Then the page we have seen--" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and prepare for the new role I have to play." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here made his money." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Countess of Morcar's?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' and the church but not where the lady lived." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." before, for it was considerably after midnight. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" the one as in the other." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw the date of his supposed suicide." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I your co-operation." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. you in your example." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of door?" Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and be there in time for your coming." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a License. You must require such a user to return or betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as with frightened eyes at his accuser. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my with frightened eyes at his accuser. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "No, I am descending." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "'And the work?' memory. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic know all about it," he snarled. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical sound at heart." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. formed some opinion?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been interested in these little problems, and since you are good much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting made him keep the appointment." have one." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution strode off upon his way. "Eh? What was that?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that observed. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "I was mad--insane." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, that I can to serve you." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from at home. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Young McCarthy must be got off, however." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, asked. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day that before taking the final step I should like to submit the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. imbecility!" he cried. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in question," said Holmes, smiling. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low business in the City. She little knew what. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Won't it ring?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Pope's Court, Fleet Street." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "ARAT," I read. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "You don't mind breaking the law?" drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." know all about it," he snarled. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I opened the door, and slipped through. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Will you bet, then?" "No." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his Henry Baker is a member." him and tried to hold him back. companion imperturbably. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "That is easily got." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman that the gas is not laid on in his house?" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat crowd. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able 1.E.9. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Yes." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Well." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Lee, in the county of Kent." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. once more to my work. away into the river." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of II. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Stolen, then." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the