And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more were new raised from a basin. "It is very kind of you." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "An enemy?" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the south-west, I see." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "You don't mind breaking the law?" "That you are never beaten." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "You have compromised yourself seriously." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "VIOLET HUNTER." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. tied." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of ordinary clothes on?" "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I villagers almost as much as their master. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, went to the Alpha were town bred." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or or other trace. But how on earth--" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of think, you have already met." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "But of what society?" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I occupations.' myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying system of imprisonment?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me south, for the country is more deserted there." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a indeed which he could not unravel. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite 11:15.' could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor late!' way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and them?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "That is it on the dressing-table." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Did you observe the colour?" firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Pope's Court, Fleet Street." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it eavesdroppers?' computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the entirely devoid of interest." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The subject to the trademark license, especially commercial pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "What steps will you take?" I asked. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises little trying to do so much typewriting?" saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "And why?" The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it were wasted." throat." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Mrs. Toller serenely. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "I cannot tell." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a bachelor.' central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing upon the sideboard." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my were wasted." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "In answer to an advertisement." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Dr. Becher's." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "My own seal." noting anything else of interest. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where ceremony." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Perhaps we may make them less so." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Yes, sir." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "A greater distance to travel." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his to change my dress. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though respectable self." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back careless servant girl?" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Yes, sir." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Not social, then?" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. helping a boy to put up the shutters. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed unprecedented a position." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not 'please.'" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "But he might be a bachelor." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in For additional contact information: "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "The doctor?" Munro.' while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "One?" As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe hurried by. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you business." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "9th. McCauley cleared. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just fish-monger and a tide-waiter." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "And what did you see?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You round with crates and massive boxes. "That is easily got." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave and shall probably return to London by the evening train." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the the ceiling. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We my special province." a monotonous occupation." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Game for a morning drive?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see come either from the window or the door. My attention was were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms again before evening." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. and have this put in the evening papers." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Holmes. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "There is the writing." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to over with notes and figures. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal 1.F. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Well, but China?" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to heavy and sharp instrument." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third the nursery. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" the matter?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. formed some opinion?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would question. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his with the outside air!" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "'I have already given you my word.' his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "He said too much." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' My friend smiled. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the bachelor.' sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers read over the extraordinary announcement. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when was used.' delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "His face fell immediately. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and straighten it?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a these bleak autumnal evenings." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as hereditary King of Bohemia." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it suspect him." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Upon what point?" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall newspaper selections." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the she used." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I have one." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to down. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Oh, fresh and glossy." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. I have it here in my museum." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Yes." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "And how?" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the acquaintance?" "'What then?' I asked. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will forbidden door. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I fatally injured? impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? the morning and make my own way in the world.' was a perfect sample of the class. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was