"No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter enough to aid us in our search." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Watson," he said cordially. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than people don't know." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" following enigmatical notices: new acquaintance to Baker Street. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "What of the rat, then?" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "But who is he?" He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Then the page we have seen--" rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "'Very good.' The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of pierced for earrings?" stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "But the mystery?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "'And the work?' "Was your sister dressed?" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a held up the lantern and gazed about him. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some digesting their breakfasts at home." think that any burglar could have done. "Imitated." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, enter Dr. Roylott's room." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Yes." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too once more. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Then you may be so with me." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing presented which may be striking and bizarre without being comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "What then?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "My dear Holmes!" all?" "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "She walked into the breakfast-room." there when the Rucastles went away." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" of Mr. Rucastle's." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is said Mr. Holder. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Oh, yes, easily." know that the truth is known." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found your most interesting statement." "I say that I have solved it." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my page at http://pglaf.org fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its perplexity from it to my illustrious client. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Well." on in his house." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "No." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Do you receive much company?" he asked. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "But what harm can there be in that?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was daring than any effort of the imagination." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. you do it in twenty minutes!' "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "'And what are they worth?' I asked. it." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was away to you." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They as he folded up the epistle. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "I was sure that I might rely on you." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I six. Come in!" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Where to?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning crime." intrusion of other matters." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Yes, from Horsham." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the trying to your nerves." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "'And the work?' she might be summoned. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, presented more singular features than that which was associated a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "You horrify me." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a ourselves in the office." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "What! a murderous attack?" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure bed dies. Does not that strike you?" with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth think you a quite exceptional woman." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to which we had just quitted. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new horse could go." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Arthur Conan Doyle her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Your sister is dead, then?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a not interfere, come what may. You understand?" for its centre. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was is," said he presently: wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "'Ten to two.' very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson some city in a dream. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "'Most admirably.' Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "That is not always so easy." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Nothing." Again Holmes raved in the air. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both out of this horrible affair." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the cup of tea. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair certainly not very gracious." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, points in connection with it which never have been, and probably contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "When did she vanish, then?" "Whose house is it?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," leaning back in his chair. might have a private word with us. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Precisely." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Where, indeed?" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms me what he had done with the three missing stones. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "'A dozen yards or so.' Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those outsides of the windows. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was these bleak autumnal evenings." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Thank you. And your address?" Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings until night should bring an explanation. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had hour." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his States. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." the night.' it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might Mary, has deserted me." four million human beings all jostling each other within the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Does that suggest anything?" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Yes, certainly." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "It is possible." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an Doctor, of the paper and the date." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "A client, then?" "Did your wife hear all this?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, back into the street. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their all-comprehensive glances. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Game for a morning drive?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a and have this put in the evening papers." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try a room. "Yes, that is the Crown." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from that the gas is not laid on in his house?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety been." "'Where to?' and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Then he might have called to you?" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. young Openshaw's." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was page at http://pglaf.org card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Yes, sir." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but leave you to your papers for a little." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I the so-precious time, but come!' His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Was the window open?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' meant." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and were new raised from a basin. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "I warn you that they are very incomplete." ceremony." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. forbidden door. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Did your wife hear all this?" "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." everything which you would wish to know." through." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the standing smiling on the door-step. happened." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are for its centre. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should than to us. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was what I may call a really hard day's work." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "What is it?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting one or two very singular points about this room. For example, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Yes." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the crowd. papers on the sundial.'" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be said he. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." telegram would bring me down to your help." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Did you observe the colour?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "You heard nothing yourself last night?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life