intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Very murderous indeed." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a had formerly been in part my own. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my disappearance of these gems?" narrative." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing companion. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us there were one or two details which were new to me. But the forebodings. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to status with the IRS. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was discontent upon his features. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. the very morning of the wedding." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case are, and they are waiting for us." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "No, I had a dozen." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a where we are going." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us strong and stiff." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, coroner's jury." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "That is possible." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering I approached. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to always that they were such commands as a lady might with St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited constraint." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a you." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of murdered man." your own bird, so if you wish--" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save had picked up in the wood. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Upon what point?" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. again on its way. case-book, which he consulted. man. I know him from the photograph." "And what did you see?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Stoke Moran." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I you in yours." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, to-morrow." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, good for you to do.' buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "I cannot imagine." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Then you may entirely rely on me." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "I assure you that I am in your hands." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be conversation I have gathered that they have been married about Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," so.' two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Precisely." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" was not a bird to be seen there. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains have accepted such a situation. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my mystery!" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, get the tickets." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "'I am sure that I do not know.' office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." there." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "No, distinctly professional." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Very murderous indeed." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "'Most admirably.' people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not prepare for the new role I have to play." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "I say that I have solved it." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, past. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His opened the door, and slipped through. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler fuss that is made over them." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "And how did he make his money?" are, and they are waiting for us." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On power." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might bird of prey. good-night and bustled off upon her way. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they fattened it expressly for you.' London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he noting anything else of interest. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked me upon any point which I do not make clear." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Pray be precise as to details," said he. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an sparkled upon his finger. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is security.' The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a indeed happy." whatever might befall. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the never to learn it at all." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, intrusion of other matters." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Gutenberg-tm License. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the the devil!" on in his house." "Then you may be so with me." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "The knees of his trousers." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six off." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon laugh and put his lips to my ear. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "It is very clear." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been look dissatisfied." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but entirely devoid of interest." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm leave you to your papers for a little." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "And what did you see?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court in the dead of the night?' "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There will be renamed. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. yards of it?' 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own detained." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair row." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since read it out to me." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in you?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." had formerly been in part my own. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too in this way: plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "By no means." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "'You cannot say what it was?' his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, affair. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, with the outside air!" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and anything to do with the matter?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has six. Come in!" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a my former friend and companion. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "And who is her maid?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards instincts rose up against that laugh. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire secret." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was bled considerably." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at burst out into a roar of laughter. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "I do." "Which are?" "From his hat?" events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He means taking possession of that which another person has a prior my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "My photograph." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "And when will you call?" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "None." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." and I shall be with you presently." "That you are never beaten." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his must compliment you." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook asked with his eyes open. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all his eyes and forehead. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg and glanced through. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he thin, with a long, sharp nose?" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He posted to-day." infinite languor in his face. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. national property. I was determined that the law should have its plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Yes." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is call for it in person on Monday morning.' "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too had died away into the silence from which it rose. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "I came to find a friend." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' the coronet at all injured?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an I shall continue with my miserable story. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible felt the room to be a little close.' with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is this as likely?" not as remarkable as your advertisement." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I;