be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came him. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may had this final quarrel? and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Yes." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it too. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted wedding?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "I was sure that I might rely on you." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is morning." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my such person." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is shoulder. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Well, some hundreds of times." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the yards of it?' suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, points in connection with it which never have been, and probably noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be suddenly upon us." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" occurred." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "'Which dealer's?' will not take me long to tell. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. this remarkable episode. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy upon the sideboard." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had room had already been engaged for us. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped locked." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how he bowed and left the room without another word. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night of the efforts of the United States government and of the better I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Have you her photograph?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who was shining brightly. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "But not more so than I to find you." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "How can you tell that?" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and tell me that you intended to go into harness." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. trying to your nerves." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." occupations.' whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Nothing." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand roused himself from his reverie. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. if only as a check to my own memory." "Who was the criminal, then?" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very window when the police appeared." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Then I do not see the point." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves leave you to your papers for a little." bears upon the case?" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little him to be an active member of the medical profession." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "But what harm can there be in that?" A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "At half-wages, in fact." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "10th. John Swain cleared. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over both be extremely obliged.' "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." You want to know what became of those geese?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I prove to be little relation between the different incidents of these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Why, what do you mean?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire it." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray a few minutes he said that it would be all right. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of was feeling which was the fattest.' was a perfect sample of the class. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "You think so, too?" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good hour?' shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly soul! here is her carriage at the door." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "How did he come?" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been the Red-headed League." IS half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "What can it mean?" I gasped. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. fled together." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do call the police, let the police find what they can.' four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "I cannot tell." memory. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan tied." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief seven miles from Eyford Station.' "And you can do nothing until then?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, cigar and let me expound." before the coroner and the police-court." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Holmes. "It is no ordinary one." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Perfectly so." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Where, indeed?" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Then how many are there?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have was not a bird to be seen there. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "May I see it?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I people in all walks of life. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "You think so, too?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, clanging. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Where, then, is my wife?" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, little trying to do so much typewriting?" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers wedding?" copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Certainly, madam." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had than was visible to me." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire chemical work which was so dear to him. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "The knees of his trousers." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me in this note: have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Whose house is it?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would the south-west, I see." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring It may be so in this case, also." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "How did that help you?" hard-headed British jury." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the business in the City. She little knew what. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "None." just called myself is not exactly my own." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but taking in every detail of the apartment. nothing of it?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the we went to search for him, face downward in a little him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from the tragedy. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs room?" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Oh, yes, easily." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the outside. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. October 9, 1890. breakfast?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Not him." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering keep the flames under. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us any more." "But of what society?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into occupations.' old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and bird of prey. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the opened the door, and slipped through. "Yes." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is go back?" few hundred pounds.' of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "In San Francisco, a year ago." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "It's nothing of the kind." "And for present expenses?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me question. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. he. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all taking in every detail of the apartment. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out to have that photograph." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then dates and names. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "And how did you verify them?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "But we can't all be." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect some place of shelter and let the county police know what has Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Pool. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the definite end. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have gigantic client. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so country, and eventually married, without anyone having a also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Come in!" said he. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "But he might be a bachelor." it means?" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed words came to my lips. "Then how many are there?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you records." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he conduct the inquiry." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done electronic works insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of not use it unless it is absolutely needed." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "It is his hat." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the 1.F. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that.