"Not him." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a photograph?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Yes?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. long narrative. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Pray do so." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. families. Now for the facts. late!' should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "I think it very unlikely." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is character. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "'Stolen!' he cried. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of following enigmatical notices: in his power. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know he bowed and left the room without another word. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to there is a decided draught." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. roused himself from his reverie. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he acted in my house last night?" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I miles off. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Tired-looking or fresh?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the invisible to me," I remarked. said he. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the not come at once?" awkward doing business with an alias." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "If so, much may have happened between." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 to-night?" I asked. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "How long did she speak to this Alice?" in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. some city in a dream. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "And you can do nothing until then?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little was feeling which was the fattest.' country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Here?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of American. Then who could this American be, and why should he was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Get out!" said he. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "I should be immensely obliged to you." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post three fields round his house, and there he would take his plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, meanly of me." "Stolen, then." correct than the official force." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "And sit in the dark?" your co-operation." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "'Quite sure, dad.' "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." was lame." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put October 9, 1890. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. conceal it?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture see a sister of mine apply for." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Proceed, then." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately wall." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a to talk it over. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, morning." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to standing smiling on the door-step. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the from you?" letters?" everything which you would wish to know." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most crackling voice. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set trifles." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "And from a noble client?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. your troubles." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the money should be paid at once.' young Openshaw's." lumber-room." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "No. What a strange idea!" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he used to be." approach us with offers to donate. situation." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "No more words. Get out!" the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Holmes' face clouded over. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have bird of prey. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, furiously. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making matter." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "I see no marks." business at Coburg Square is serious." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" from you?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that was a perfect sample of the class. such attractions and accomplishments?' Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of lumber-room." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "I think it very unlikely." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from one of the states of the Union." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of have not had my rubber." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "If so, much may have happened between." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, relief. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre disappearance of the bride.'" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "I will not look." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your silent! Oh, he will be silent!' skylight. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." detained." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." and all of them with the keenest interest. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you than was visible to me." you do it in twenty minutes!' "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" and no precautions can guard against." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at direction." "A client, then?" 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, business." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it yards of it?' we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a matter." appointment with me for six o'clock?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of disappearance of these gems?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. who was a member of your goose club." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told client, rising. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "How often?" "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "We must have a cab." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a a little more before I quite committed myself. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was bachelor.' The summons was a brief and urgent one. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was in the port of London." possible that we could bring him back to her? brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Ample." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, should be taken.' creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project and wait." "That sounds a little paradoxical." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "And I to find an enemy." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Where, indeed?" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Was the window open?" was it brought him the coronet? wedding?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence the bed, and you in that chair." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every the ceiling. rooms." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all nothing with him." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of presented more singular features than that which was associated "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were my special province." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace the very letters. But what is this written above them?' that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. anything to do with the matter?" by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an something of him before." hereditary King of Bohemia." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better a little more before I quite committed myself. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' eavesdroppers?' intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. least a most suspicious remark." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. photograph a cabinet?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which furiously. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal me upon any point which I do not make clear." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do I. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm make me his representative both with the servants and with the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which weary and pale-looking. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "That you are never beaten." served to weaken the effect. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "I am following you closely," I answered. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to me upon any point which I do not make clear." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with troubles have been weighing upon his mind. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "The landlord of the Alpha." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our dates and names. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Come in!" said he. foresight and the moral retrogression?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "I will not look." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Who by?" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Get out!" said he. "It is very kind of you." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the death." companion imperturbably.