were new raised from a basin. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Holmes, the busybody!" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of beg that you will break it off." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and read it out to me." eat it." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "'Yes.' that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Leadenhall Street--and--" "The King of Scandinavia." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight clang of the bell. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out a little more before I quite committed myself. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "What do you make of that, Watson?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent in the hope of finding them." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, at home. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Imitated." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of his forehead." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 this remarkable episode. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the written. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of furiously. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called it means?" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Nothing?" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his read over the extraordinary announcement. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will to tell." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten call it cruel." "Where did you address your letters, then?" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "I do." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Which are?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. leave you to your papers for a little." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very strode off upon his way. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" even of instruction." case-book, which he consulted. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like if only as a check to my own memory." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who went to the Alpha were town bred." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the stable lane now." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace never came back." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do waste of energy." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "No bad?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing he. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Project Gutenberg-tm works. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Was there a secret marriage?" present." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in digesting their breakfasts at home." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. the address that was given us in the advertisement. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check sufficient punishment." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "What I expected to see." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly answer." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" door?" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief vague figure huddled up in the darkness. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his gives a meaning to it." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "To the police?" "I fear not." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the think that he is innocent?" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "My Mary? Impossible!" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "And the cigar-holder?" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular and the church but not where the lady lived." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the his face which made him a very different person to the round, the Assizes." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "To ruin me." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the young Openshaw's." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over are, and they are waiting for us." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick amused." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "I do." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in is acting for the best. "Then I am your man." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he so.' "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "I am armed." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Really! You surprise me." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." our word." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been to his chemical studies. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "If I can be of use." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "And sit in the dark?" Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments been deceived." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Well, but China?" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Yes." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was page at http://pglaf.org should be taken.' have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Witness: I must still refuse. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Perhaps I have." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one weigh very heavily upon my conscience." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised of it with the greatest attention. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in absorbing." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the McCarthy's innocence. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty easy-going way." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other fear." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "No, I think that I'll take it." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "'Certainly,' I answered. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Lee, in the county of Kent." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "An enemy?" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What evidence," I remarked. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Well?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second fashion which was peculiar to him. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were wedding?" light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the fire. You quite follow me?" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both me have 200 pounds?' but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "'What, the red-headed man?' whole matter to your consideration." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could arrested. You then--" the salesman. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you success. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all there is a decided draught." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, of campaign. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Was your sister dressed?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and their singular warning or token before them when starting upon analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and newspaper selections." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "You have compromised yourself seriously." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present might have a private word with us. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Imitated." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an charged with?" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover were wasted." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Which are?" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "The doctor?" "And that is--" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you amused." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," furiously. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Yes." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. feature." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known purpose equally well?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was character. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Only as much as we can deduce." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in any more." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came other, as fresh and trim as possible. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Yes, it was twisted." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A a few minutes he said that it would be all right. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the woman." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an presume?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old maiden herself was most instructive." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless been able to understand it, in a very few words. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point constraint." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "He is dead," cried several voices. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She you, my dear young lady?' With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe than was visible to me." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which congenial hunt. already referred to. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and lips." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Then the page we have seen--" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden charged with?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the the coronet in his hands?" very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from will be renamed. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you to-night's adventure." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made one else, I think." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" morning." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand and no precautions can guard against." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who John Swain, of St. Augustine. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is rat could hardly pass through." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. over here." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and