diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Pray continue your narrative." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down murdered man." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange certainly not very gracious." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Yes." "And what then?" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We invisible to me," I remarked. "'Certainly not. But why?' quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "In answer to an advertisement." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out as this. Pray let me have the details." "I cannot tell." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a out." "You don't mind breaking the law?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an get her out of the way." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your your billet.' man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "I have a cab outside." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Whose house is it?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about searched, without anything being found which could incriminate a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down as yours." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of attention." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of The police have openly confessed that they can at present make was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "None." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little which was all perfectly true. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "An accident, I presume?" depend upon my doing so.' bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it pity, because in other respects you would really have done very twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country again, where I was soon asleep. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Could he throw no light?" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Yes?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Yes?" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "A call for help, you thought?" that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' cause to be." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "What are they?" from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was photograph a cabinet?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "A thing like a cleaver," said he. served to weaken the effect. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Not particularly." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into suddenly upon us." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Not in the least." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. It may be so in this case, also." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with http://www.gutenberg.net this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the But Holmes shook his head gravely. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of someone who had been in Australia." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was matters immensely." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Did you observe the colour?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and the devil!" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You such attractions and accomplishments?' this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign side. "I never have." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Certainly, madam." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Foundation her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful opened a pocket-book and took out a note. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much characteristics, but those are the more obvious." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free be best to do. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much pressing in one house as in another. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Did your wife hear all this?" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong are, I think, all that we need." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his distance from the station, and there we found the young lady drawing your inferences." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely tell them apart.' gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps the child." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man will be renamed. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "And you thought he was pulled back?" age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small triumphant cloud from his cigarette. room had already been engaged for us. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, washing it down with a long draught of water. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "How did he come?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "I assure you that I am in your hands." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard habit of advancing money.' had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more disappearance of the bride.'" Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Of what day?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "In answer to an advertisement." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "'Very good.' do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly You want to know what became of those geese?" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Did your wife hear all this?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I friend's singular character. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my begin with, and I had not got mine yet." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! something of him before." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any do.' the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down plantation.' were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "'Very good.' round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was to-morrow." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country that he will be back before evening." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may delirious. there when the Rucastles went away." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Witness: I must still refuse. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet peculiar to him. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate he died? "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are morning." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Yesterday." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "And how did you find out?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I whereabouts. his cane at the bell-pull. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "The gentleman I describe." "Come in!" said Holmes. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "I have hopes." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "It missed him, then?" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious allusion to a rat. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "My opinion is in no way altered." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to individual and becomes the badge of a society." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you business." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "The best possible." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of said I. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have could not have written that. It is the German who is so "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Really! You surprise me." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "What?" flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. success. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Yes." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the I nodded to show that I had heard. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Not I." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the You want to know what became of those geese?" strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, have not had my rubber." in darkness. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Pray continue your narrative." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Indeed! Whose, then?" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. should be taken.' as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By south, for the country is more deserted there." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for to tell." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" this as likely?" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by him to go away.' noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I four million human beings all jostling each other within the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady one of them." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the