fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." drawing your inferences." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "It is a murder, then?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Will you go?" in my life." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "It is very kind of you." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an again." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "I do." "It is very kind of you." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Have you her photograph?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he with you alone." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a one else, I think." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from address. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "The King of Scandinavia." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Where did you address your letters, then?" to surprise her." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready sufficient punishment." Leadenhall Street--and--" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "'Very good.' "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' an introduction to him?" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that if she died from some sudden fright." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Was he the only applicant?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his business?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a to have been novel and of interest." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. here." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and very morning of my second wedding." bears upon the case?" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon if she died from some sudden fright." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "You will not go there first?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Your French gold?" convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg photograph a cabinet?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed without a word or a look. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his of campaign. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "In answer to an advertisement." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "I am still in the dark." "Which are?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "What!" he roared. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in do.' recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into fat-encircled eyes. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Stolen." foot. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in secret." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "The landlord of the Alpha." chair. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "I will not look." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "And is that all?" the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in him and tried to hold him back. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "There is the writing." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "No. His orders were to stay in the house." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward indeed which he could not unravel. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. you." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "I see no marks." "The King of Scandinavia." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Yes." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to name is different." whatever might befall. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the me what he had done with the three missing stones. fait accompli?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads For additional contact information: "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken tell him that I know him to be innocent." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, call for protection in the marriage market, for the present fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Certainly." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Yes, sir." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "I cannot imagine." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "And sit in the dark?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the and glanced through. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent to-night?" I asked. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." questionable one." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "You horrify me." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner quickly through a disagreeable task. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from the south-west, I see." shaken than I had ever seen him. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end habit of advancing money.' Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of answer." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out to take care of herself." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "No bad?" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Murdered?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet indeed happy." any little problem which you may submit to me." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "We were both in the photograph." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did a room. I shall continue with my miserable story. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The to Leatherhead. deduce something from that?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Have you her photograph?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any Countess of Morcar's?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George I am not easy in my mind about them." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "There are none." sake, don't!" skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "And what did you see?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went my room." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular persecution?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not obstinate." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." nonsense.' touch that coronet?' "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. any." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." me upon any point which I do not make clear." "The Cedars?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "'Yes, it was gone.' eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the strength in the others." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, photograph a cabinet?" "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project all-comprehensive glances. You want to know what became of those geese?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." opportunities to fix the problem. outside." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, and no precautions can guard against." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical round and wave him away like that.' her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet Mary, has deserted me." "Where did you address your letters, then?" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "That was it, sir." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "But your client--" 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot woman." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "You forget that I know nothing about it." maid will bring up your coffee." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at From what you have told me I think that it is possible that for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something telegram would bring me down to your help." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have it right.' approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 the dangers which encompass me." goes." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "How often?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. do you make of it all?" stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from persecution?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of and looked back. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no not as remarkable as your advertisement." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Will you go?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather of it with the greatest attention. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is see a sister of mine apply for." call it cruel." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?"