"Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "'Quite sure, dad.' me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his married her." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that the coroner come to?" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the with you?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to approach us with offers to donate. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel because she had spent so short a time in this country that she violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "One of his hands." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from 'I should be able to look after that for you.' his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the in a friendly supper." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased been shamefully used." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than opportunities to fix the problem. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. as yours." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite me what he had done with the three missing stones. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, house for five minutes.' the nursery. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that frequently gained my first real insight into the character of foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We a little more before I quite committed myself. gives a meaning to it." "'And the work?' With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Ha! you find it so?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Foundation "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in national property. I was determined that the law should have its Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our promised to bring home. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Yes." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Holmes, the busybody!" questionable one." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at writer." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired whereabouts. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any delighted to hear it," he said. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Never." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked interests were the same as his." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had than to us. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of grasp, he hurried from the room. and looked back. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the unkempt, staring out at me. "I know where it is." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' matters immensely." fire. You quite follow me?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." congratulate you again." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "No, but the enclosure is." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Did your wife hear all this?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall straighten it?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said DISSOLVED. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. conceal it?" hardly wander." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "'And the work?' "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "None. Neville wrote those words." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to the south-west, I see." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat letters?" the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "But she could not love him." "In what way?" asked Holmes. have been better. It is all right." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. companion quietly. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the coroner's jury." "'There is a drive, then?' "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Then how many are there?" "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to the house with me." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "What! You do not mean bodies?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were get the tickets." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a disappearance of the bride.'" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I tail." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here taking in every detail of the apartment. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for unprecedented a position." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. the matter?" present." highroad, where all traces were lost. "My Mary? Impossible!" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant would apply.' prisoner's face. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it learned something! Where are the gems?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, o'clock is it?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "I don't believe it." wedding?" in a friendly supper." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was into the bag, and made for the door. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "How long did she speak to this Alice?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "In heaven's name, what for?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Dark enough and sinister enough." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the sparkled upon his finger. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end following enigmatical notices: "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. call the police, let the police find what they can.' insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Very truly yours, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin God! What an exposure! What can I do?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "He slept on the premises." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "It is very clear." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his Lestrade of Scotland Yard." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case with you?" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are me, and I could not think that his explanation of the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "'I shall certainly be there.' so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched and effective." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "And what did you learn from him?" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they I think that I could be of assistance to you." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not stalked out of the room. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The she slowly sank and died without having recovered her where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or me have 200 pounds?' we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the then?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a call for protection in the marriage market, for the present that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Yes, from Horsham." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I there when the Rucastles went away." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has and that he would see to anything that turned up. few hundred pounds.' I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "No." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's will he say when he returns?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. we went to search for him, face downward in a little "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary relief. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you key turn in the lock." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Yes." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too there in twenty minutes." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Mary, has deserted me." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." bonnet, and went out." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case to a light-house. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." gigantic client. page at http://pglaf.org "That was it, sir." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Miss Holder?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." "And your mother is alive?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "'I have already given you my word.' formed some opinion?" followed. "No?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are through." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Very truly yours, "You have compromised yourself seriously." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son drawing your inferences." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back do." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hands. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no to some other building. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Was she in good spirits?" end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a province." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. not come at once?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "I answered that I had not. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an bed dies. Does not that strike you?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not