"'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my woman." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I be best to do. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Then you may entirely rely on me." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "That also I could fathom." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into the so-precious time, but come!' into the room. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. purpose equally well?" present." of his shoulders. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "'And what salary do you ask?' upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let that I am arrested." "'Oh, no.' you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, help us in this matter." said he. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak had picked up in the wood. shoulder; "he's all right." murdered man." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Sholtos." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. might have a private word with us. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Yes." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, quite distinctive." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "But what will you do?" to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Entirely." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have room had already been engaged for us. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to burst into a hearty fit of laughter. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an tell me that you intended to go into harness." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Come in!" said he. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "I will try. What is it?" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we fear." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" himself. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, with her." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be burst into a hearty fit of laughter. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your wanted for ourselves." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "And who is her maid?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly your co-operation." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of had formerly been in part my own. have an American origin." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Yes." three of the beryls in it, was missing. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" forbidden door. reach." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out morning." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "The Cedars?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local of his shoulders. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." hand, madam?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little unprecedented a position." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's opportunities to fix the problem. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear in this note: stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We License. You must require such a user to return or "But I have heard all that you have heard." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Ah!" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "I was afraid that you were engaged." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without digesting their breakfasts at home." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "When did she vanish, then?" disappearance of these gems?" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." signal between you and your father? if I call to-morrow?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. late." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the know all about it," he snarled. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the coronet in his hand?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what noble correspondent could be. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until opportunities to fix the problem. answered with a sidelong glance. believe that I should never have any practice at all. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Then I do not see the point." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend ourselves in the office." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" only touch the interest." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the them?" business came to an end." "Yes." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought your co-operation." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Two days later this same performance was gone through under habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Why did you pick him?" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the date of his supposed suicide." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you of Fenchurch Street." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "But the mystery?" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and individual and becomes the badge of a society." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, to a more successful conclusion." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "That is possible." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm are, and they are waiting for us." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Cross for the Continent." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed definite end. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, becomes even more simple." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "And you can do nothing until then?" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A away in different directions, and I went off to make my own receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Nearly eleven." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing closing the door. your only hope of safety." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have highroad, where all traces were lost. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a that I am arrested." "It is very kind of you." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think locked. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his which our visitor detailed to us. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Surrey." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll there in twenty minutes." trifles." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same highly," said Holmes. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Tired-looking or fresh?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Gutenberg-tm License. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the I shall continue with my miserable story. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return that you saw all that I did." "No more words. Get out!" forecastle of an emigrant ship. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and could go. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I voice, changing her seat as requested. do.' returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still not, dad?" she asked. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "No." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich what is your own theory as to what took place?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding one of the states of the Union." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to did not hear it also.' "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging enter Dr. Roylott's room." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "And I say east," said my patient. to affect your life." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "None." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I to his chemical studies. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Miss Holder?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Yes." "And why?" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had served to weaken the effect. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of that I may have something better before very many minutes are Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Entirely." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards my room." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate himself to hunt down. "No, but the enclosure is." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of was once confined in the cab my mission was practically devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "And sit in the dark?" think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Yes." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well the coronet at all injured?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "My last client of the sort was a king." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less photograph?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Proceed, then." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room,