Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good without success. At last the little money which I had saved began the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Precisely." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who upon the sideboard." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Yes, only one." several quiet little villages up there." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "My private note-paper." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil definite end. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any out." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for official police." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes page at http://pglaf.org interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he looking up at the numbers of the houses." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, felt?" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own neither fascinating nor artistic." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "And on what day did he meet his death?" first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his maid will bring up your coffee." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Surrey." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of directors, with the result that you have seen." forecastle of an emigrant ship. "That you are never beaten." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his stammered. strength." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through less than 26s. 4d. carpenter." "I will do it." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Only as much as we can deduce." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, any more." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "I shall be delighted." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous of fine shops and stately business premises that they really outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "I shall most certainly do so." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and the very letters. But what is this written above them?' as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been companion quietly. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "I cannot tell." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Again Holmes raved in the air. "How about poison?" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. you." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free forecastle of an emigrant ship. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform knowledge of the world." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it Count Von Kramm." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "'Why that?' I asks. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I chance." "I say it is." certainly not very gracious." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to than to us. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her a very grave face. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to awkward doing business with an alias." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "The knees of his trousers." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the within hail.' "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" that threaten you." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Yes, sir." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the not as remarkable as your advertisement." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Certainly." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "You saw the ventilator, too?" problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, colonel looking down at me. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I and inquire as to the address." the matter." third from London." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Heh?' "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "And leave your case unfinished?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. thirty. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he was keenly on my guard against him. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "I would pay ten." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Absolutely none." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of been anything against him. He had for years been known as a leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "In answer to an advertisement." Sholtos." was feeling which was the fattest.' forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Yes." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' pierced for earrings?" reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, you for a few hours?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the congenial hunt. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Just look it up, then." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had had formerly been in part my own. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing was a perfect sample of the class. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable little trying to do so much typewriting?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it astonishment. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a come either from the window or the door. My attention was face and glided from the room. introspective fashion. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Yes, certainly." "This photograph!" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be stepfather?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." notes," he said. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "So I have heard." standing smiling on the door-step. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "'Why that?' I asks. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through night.' said he. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "No, I am descending." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Literary Archive Foundation with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Very much so." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." our word." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black when your master had gone out." "And leave your case unfinished?" thin legs towards the fire. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Where, then, is my wife?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no golden eyeglasses. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw room had already been engaged for us. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress up this clue while it is still hot." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who them?" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "There is the writing." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord depend upon my doing so.' I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' room. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in relief. laugh and put his lips to my ear. lamp in his hand. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you so far?" "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior to a more successful conclusion." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "I cannot tell." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for that you wished to speak to me?' Gutenberg-tm License. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has back into the street. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "I have a cab outside." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Nothing?" passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and felt the room to be a little close.' "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I might have a private word with us. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself once more for Briony Lodge. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "What!" he roared. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country what is your own theory as to what took place?" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which chair. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. trifles." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. of it with the greatest attention. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly time." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and and inquire as to the address." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. than was visible to me." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck annoyance, but no jest. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to outside." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "I have a cab outside." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on second." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': round and wave him away like that.' him, that man would not have given me such complete information "You horrify me." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. upon the shelf for the interim." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "A thing like a cleaver," said he. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for taking in every detail of the apartment. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as status with the IRS. "We have tried and failed." money should be paid at once.' "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "That sounds a little paradoxical." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the signal between you and your father? "I was mad--insane." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "'I have heard so.' He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual a little more before I quite committed myself. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon call for protection in the marriage market, for the present me upon any point which I do not make clear." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa of Mr. Rucastle's." placed his cuttings. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "How are you getting on?" myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "'Entirely.' wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." indeed happy." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose