us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, to you." envelope. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, and laid it on the table. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire followed. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Ha! you find it so?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Where, then, is my wife?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old security.' and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to conduct the inquiry." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, to change my dress. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "She will not sell." and laid it on the table. asked. presented more singular features than that which was associated Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. bearing upon the case." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards to go into your room and bar your shutters?" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "We must have a cab." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "No." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the tension within him. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "On Monday." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Yes, all." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Then you may entirely rely on me." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "But you were on a friendly footing?" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a placed his cuttings. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated 11:15.' such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah too. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "BALLARAT." "I have come for advice." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Stolen, then." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an you found me to-night--and running through the front room she feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "I don't believe it." "What! a murderous attack?" I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' coat-tails." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! be best to do. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though becomes even more simple." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad fact, we may call it conclusive." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had habit of advancing money.' "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "What is it?" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I next day. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Where, then, is my wife?" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your astonishment. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all http://www.gutenberg.net away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "And why?" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "It is no ordinary one." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "10th. John Swain cleared. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, this unhappy family?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Ample." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "It goes to the housekeeper's room." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Where did he live, then?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I maid will bring up your coffee." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in following enigmatical notices: parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Breckinridge is his name." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, lost his Christmas dinner." writers could invent nothing more crude." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his said I. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is weapon." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. fire. You quite follow me?" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "How are you getting on?" active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Mary, has deserted me." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his http://gutenberg.net/license). trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should away to you." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "'Yes, sir.' am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" was feeling which was the fattest.' exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as in this note: "Not I." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has for its centre. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "'As governess?' humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "If I can be of use." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began round and wave him away like that.' aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a the night.' Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, gbnewby@pglaf.org dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Then I am your man." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. disappearance of these gems?" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew bed dies. Does not that strike you?" off." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. all?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Pray do so." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be useful material for showing traces. The double line a little The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked all?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, arrangements." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Ah!" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took beyond words. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending said he, "my real name is James Ryder." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." were wasted." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "'Which dealer's?' all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an narrative." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." your bag." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the mystery." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Proceed, then." down. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "To the police?" nothing of it?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "I see no marks." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are later, upon the night of May 2nd." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came take the flies, but not before." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "It is very kind of you." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "And you can do nothing until then?" shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the window, rose as we entered. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an away into the river." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. morning." when your master had gone out." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the very morning of my second wedding." article?" course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that may never be exposed to such a temptation." whatever might befall. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! question you as to those details which seem to me to be most has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "I never have." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat over here." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. bedroom door." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen the night.' the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Ah!" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a already referred to. "And how have you succeeded?" interest. They are important, you understand, without being of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps his fortune, and I went back to pa. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey the little opening for the ventilator is." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of matters immensely." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be direction." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the interest. They are important, you understand, without being he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled better in every way that they should make their position a little