in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: enough to aid us in our search." "Precisely." and I shall be with you presently." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Who was the criminal, then?" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated humiliation." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of the nursery. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "By all means." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Where, indeed?" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "What! Had he lost his wife?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "On the contrary, this is the right side." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of ventilator." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "'Most admirably.' "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Very. But will he see it?" Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "How many? I don't know." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United pity, because in other respects you would really have done very in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Won't it ring?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Not particularly." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the morning and make my own way in the world.' the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "No, my brougham is waiting." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head there." formed some opinion?" "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he with frightened eyes at his accuser. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint have established a very serious case against the son of the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Then the page we have seen--" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." even so self-evident a thing as that." enough to aid us in our search." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, main points of my analysis." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a was feeling which was the fattest.' on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who characteristics, but those are the more obvious." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should kind enough to tell me what I should do." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and had formerly been in part my own. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" train from Paddington which would bring you there at about photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." records." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. is worth.' "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." absorbing." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in happened." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "What can you not understand?" to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down charge against him will break down." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Certainly." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it means taking possession of that which another person has a prior thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "I am about to be married." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a Count Von Kramm." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the and put his glass in his pocket. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no mysterious end." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already mystery!" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time works. See paragraph 1.E below. cigars in the box." 11:15.' traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom shag which I had seen upon the previous night. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Pray do so." charge against him will break down." keep the flames under. "By no means." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was ready to-morrow?' "The King of Scandinavia." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your photograph?" "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. rooms." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate upon a handsome competence. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, stepfather?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no father's place of business?" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. one else, I think." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. away to you." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Never to return." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't detective. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "I cannot tell." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having whether it answered to the description of any of their last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any very peculiar words of the dying woman?" lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less You want to know what became of those geese?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us your co-operation." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "A greater distance to travel." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "My dear Holmes!" noting anything else of interest. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "I cannot imagine." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Murdered?" telegram would bring me down to your help." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Again Holmes raved in the air. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "What, then, did Peterson do?" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "What can it mean?" I gasped. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would sneer upon his pale face. pictures, libraries, or plate. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to legal crime." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for villagers almost as much as their master. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you more terrible than the truth. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, you." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "It missed him, then?" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "We must have a cab." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the paper in the air. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must tell me that you intended to go into harness." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project the window, rose as we entered. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. may never be exposed to such a temptation." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend leaning back in his chair. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been husband's writing, madam." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle forebodings. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this late." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He this remarkable episode. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of views." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it hurried away. respectable self." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily in your London, you will know that the office of the company is a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be lost nothing by them." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and electronic works "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." himself. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "What I expected to see." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Just look it up, then." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his them, and came down just as you departed. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The DISSOLVED. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. any more." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Not particularly." "'Why that?' I asks. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill examine." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and States. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly grasp, he hurried from the room. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now formed some opinion?" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had which we had just quitted. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "No, thank goodness, she did not." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and key turn in the lock." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two ourselves in the office." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." events, Mr. Windibank!" Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "That is not always so easy." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair telegram would bring me down to your help." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he answered with a sidelong glance. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. throat." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that back into the street. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "I am following you closely," I answered. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "You are hungry," I remarked. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see closely." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Quite so. She has her freedom." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing where we are going." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by of the efforts of the United States government and of the better inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes of the one which your family is now devouring." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those done what I asked you, Jones?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "'Is purely nominal.' I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "She told me to ask you." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got morning." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house at my remark. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. has little to do with my story." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in more solid."