deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and prepare for the new role I have to play." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, opportunities to fix the problem. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Will you go?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled this poor creature." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Well, but China?" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Yes." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and might have a private word with us. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "How often?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "I shall most certainly do so." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Mrs. Toller serenely. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, on re-entering her father's house?" family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel in. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "In San Francisco, a year ago." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Married! When?" over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let thin, with a long, sharp nose?" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about conceal it?" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an Miss Holder?" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Your presence might be invaluable." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me allusion to a rat. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his fait accompli?" strength in the others." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "I think that I had better go, Holmes." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "About a month then." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Not in a good cause." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Seven!" I answered. house for five minutes.' friend's singular character. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a woman who has had her own way to make in the world. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. again on its way. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, detained." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last gives a meaning to it." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform point our research must commence, and we will begin it by three fields round his house, and there he would take his Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as over here." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few the stable lane now." in. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a your equipment. "'How far from the body?' "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And in the dead of the night?' her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but himself to hunt down. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the within hail.' midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, was it brought him the coronet? scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it second." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." vanished into the darkness. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, second." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "When did it break out?" that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "I will get her to show me." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is quickly through a disagreeable task. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had the window, rose as we entered. there." to arrive at through this?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "What can you not understand?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "But what will you do?" parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to new duties?' besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I do.' pity, because in other respects you would really have done very We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced man. I know him from the photograph." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my the Assizes." instituted." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "'You cannot say what it was?' summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, a good hundred miles off by now." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an me." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who were wasted." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "That is not always so easy." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the coroner's jury." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and sneer upon his pale face. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded and files of the old papers, following the future career of every lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "But she could not love him." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that about. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "I saw her in conversation with her maid." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand bled considerably." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." and have this put in the evening papers." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Well." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Eh? What was that?" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. persecution?" black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase colonel looking down at me. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in be there in time for your coming." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And one of them." persecution?" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. hereditary King of Bohemia." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every for and were ordered to this address. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at foot. outside." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it the salesman. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his placed his cuttings. friend's singular character. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely floor. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "'Certainly not. But why?' 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Munro.' back to my heart. "No, I had a dozen." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor our word." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves own family. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute lectures into a series of tales." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I with her." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "What of the rat, then?" me. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. retorted upon me, and I on you." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch round with crates and massive boxes. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "You are hungry," I remarked. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich these bleak autumnal evenings." "And the murderer?" "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a there was no need for father to know." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "I don't say that. Perhaps." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Holmes, the busybody!" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few guilty parties." "Dirty?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "That is easily got." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife always that they were such commands as a lady might with attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature something of him before." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. the roots. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide digesting their breakfasts at home." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner in a very precise fashion." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "How did you deduce the select?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed best detective that ever lived. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with sentimental considerations in the background which would induce step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to in a very precise fashion." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building straightened it out again. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "'No, I know no one in these parts.' have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "'I shall certainly be there.' very old mansion. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "What!" he roared. "It missed him, then?" inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some absolutely follow my advice in every respect." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel feature." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always quick march!" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you and have this put in the evening papers." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your went to the Alpha were town bred." sparkled upon his finger. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The woman." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Yes, sir." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and second."