uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "I fear not." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind His name is Francis Prosper." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Absolutely none." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Precisely." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "How did he come?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be golden eyeglasses. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been prove to be little relation between the different incidents of determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "No, my brougham is waiting." with you alone." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "My last client of the sort was a king." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his power." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to anything to a woman, for she would have her way." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great ceremony." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." strength." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands anything to a woman, for she would have her way." he. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or chance." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of the little opening for the ventilator is." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "BALLARAT." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "'Where to?' his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. gbnewby@pglaf.org coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have weapon." past. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Is he quiet?" of the vacancies.' go--none." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "And the murderer?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "So I have heard." The summons was a brief and urgent one. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate never came back." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the any little problem which you may submit to me." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Frequently." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble me. You must get home instantly and act." looking up at the numbers of the houses." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. spare." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, into the room. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Murdered?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Never." "In the cells." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely again on its way. the Assizes." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "This photograph!" the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a so.' is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Certainly." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You disturbance in my wife." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he it right.' shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Never." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me burst into a hearty fit of laughter. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her could not have written that. It is the German who is so contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "And who is her maid?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would at a side door. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "I have my revolver," said I. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. young Openshaw's." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "By no means." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and to tackle the facts." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary she might be summoned. shoulder; "he's all right." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle sit on the left-hand side of the driver." wall." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently these bleak autumnal evenings." shaken than I had ever seen him. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Why? What do you mean?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, letters?" colonel looking down at me. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Ha! you find it so?" this Miss Turner." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or and looked back. "But you have hopes?" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "This concluded the examination of the witness." the driver. at my remark. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either asked. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." article?" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." someone who had been in Australia." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "That is it on the dressing-table." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Pray do so." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open read it out to me." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not you." "'Most admirably.' the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the out." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though business came to an end." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no might help us?" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a throat." "No sign of it?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then points in connection with it which never have been, and probably across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled were new raised from a basin. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "No." "My dear Holmes!" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Witness: Nothing definite. forehead. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will present." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "And for present expenses?" among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Witness: It was. "He slept on the premises." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Seven!" I answered. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That yards of it?' eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought again on its way. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." upon the shelf for the interim." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "And how did he make his money?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Nearly eleven." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "No, thank goodness, she did not." clanging. cup of tea. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." chamber." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near learned something! Where are the gems?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman business." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at in his power. quite distinctive." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the quickly through a disagreeable task. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged be best to do. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "And I to find an enemy." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in ways of our fellow-men." "The best possible." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a This is what he says: "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "What can it mean?" I gasped. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor the address that was given us in the advertisement. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "And sit in the dark?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "It is to him that this trophy belongs." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "What, then?" digesting their breakfasts at home." shoulder; "he's all right." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "And why?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Why serious?" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, a little more before I quite committed myself. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "But how will you look?" into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the had this final quarrel? from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, young Openshaw's." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "'How far from the body?' "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such in a very precise fashion." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front on in his house." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." chance." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than have an American origin." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Could he throw no light?" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "I cannot say that I have." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS