his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did breakfast?" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business strength of mind to control. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding four million human beings all jostling each other within the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "So I am. Very much so." electronic works noble correspondent could be. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master had died away into the silence from which it rose. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of spare." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." certainly do as you advise." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "It is his hat." disappearance of the bride.'" I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come sneer upon his pale face. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. may have an influence upon European history." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she our word." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you License. You must require such a user to return or Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a bird of prey. ways of our fellow-men." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "And now?" I asked. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions License. You must require such a user to return or wedding?" round and wave him away like that.' made him keep the appointment." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "But how?" reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "His face fell immediately. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney best detective that ever lived. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. answer." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may fear." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his like that before?" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There his forehead." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the as yours." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and like that before?" "Stolen, then." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Did your wife hear all this?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" details." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag assist you in forming an opinion." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital like that before?" whole matter to your consideration." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. Cross for the Continent." "Get out!" said he. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "'Never.' "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked means taking possession of that which another person has a prior address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." crime. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "And the cigar-holder?" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable galvanised. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that wedding?" "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a never to learn it at all." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Where did you address your letters, then?" Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my singular points about the case. What did the police think of the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you through." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading roused himself from his reverie. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally and effective." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat your sleep?' daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Eh? What was that?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had shall not find me ungrateful." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Nothing." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "And is that all?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "But how will you look?" with frightened eyes at his accuser. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of of note-paper. It read in this fashion: leaning back in his chair. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Seven!" I answered. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Then, as to money?" International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "You have compromised yourself seriously." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole Arthur Conan Doyle passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Heh?' muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, trifles." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Where, indeed?" "How are you getting on?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "No." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; from the brougham. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "I came to find a friend." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all call you and give you the chance." highroad, where all traces were lost. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not face and glided from the room. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of mystery!" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at is," said he presently: my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I had this final quarrel? "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put standing smiling on the door-step. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a becomes even more simple." habit of advancing money.' utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "What do you mean?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Very. But will he see it?" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's enter into my head. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "He said that you could solve anything." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a the King without delay." quickly through a disagreeable task. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Murdered?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." I leave." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." was already answered. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the writer." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, Street. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "'Yes, sir.' I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Did you observe the colour?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to most important business. It is probable that he will be away all his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to digesting their breakfasts at home." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some existence." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Holmes' face clouded over. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, felt?" Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "I cannot tell." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "I would pay ten." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "You have the photograph?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall other, as fresh and trim as possible. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had power." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Yes?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot considering the formidable letters which were received by himself size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door hardly wander." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "No bad?" served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "You know me, then?" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to bed dies. Does not that strike you?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "The King of Scandinavia." delirious. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "What shall I do?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive crime. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "I warn you that they are very incomplete." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Yes." until night should bring an explanation. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as chance at all." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about that I am arrested." "When did it break out?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to bill, which interests me deeply." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "It was a confession," I ejaculated. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "If I can be of use." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in pound a week." "An accident, I presume?" Watson," he said cordially. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Eyford at 11:15.' every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late residence of the great financier. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." companion imperturbably. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "I guessed as much." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," fat-encircled eyes. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "And who is her maid?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "On Monday." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" at my own good fortune. "'Where could I find him?' elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Perhaps I have." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before DISSOLVED. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you is a common subject for conversation. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily DISSOLVED. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, several quiet little villages up there." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I which we had just quitted. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "It was a confession," I ejaculated. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with the so-precious time, but come!' "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the shoulder; "he's all right." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his recall any case within my experience which looked at the first suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Heh?' each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Tired-looking or fresh?" better in every way that they should make their position a little "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his