wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was jewels which you have stolen?' and put his glass in his pocket. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in colour had been driven from his face. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself Sutherland. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "One of the highest in England." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling heavy and sharp instrument." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Yes, the wine-cellar." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill she has been waylaid. There has been no result." it with his own hands." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, chambers. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "But the mystery?" arrested. You then--" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "'Why that?' I asks. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet do you make of it all?" a monotonous occupation." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at of them has the shutters up.' admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin straightened it out again. residence of the great financier. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass on re-entering her father's house?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At business at Coburg Square is serious." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts it were putty." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his and capable of preserving a secret.' myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very American. Then who could this American be, and why should he possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "I fear not." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has for its centre. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if dates and names. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. thin legs towards the fire. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that she used." in darkness. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Do you know him?" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy of receipt of the work. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that kind enough to tell me what I should do." page at http://pglaf.org "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "I should wish to." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know residence of the great financier. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "At half-wages, in fact." man. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine business came to an end." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "BALLARAT." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill from the brougham. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. his forehead." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly reach." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "'What then?' I asked. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Holmes' room. washing it down with a long draught of water. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up correct than the official force." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "To ruin me." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to fishes. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an comes from the middle window." me. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm particular state visit http://pglaf.org jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study asked with his eyes open. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Then I can wait in the next room." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Never." directors, with the result that you have seen." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, you?' tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Very murderous indeed." the morning and make my own way in the world.' "How on earth--" was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my paper in the air. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "And you don't know his address?" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this father's young wife. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very putting in the horse. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other relation between them, and what the object of his repeated tightly behind him. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "But what harm can there be in that?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, fact, we may call it conclusive." "'I am sure if I had known--' here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Then how many are there?" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction of." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, think you a quite exceptional woman." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "I will try. What is it?" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "How did that help you?" look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "But his lameness?" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "'A dozen yards or so.' Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Street. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "It is very kind of you." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? to his chemical studies. you?' never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who the warnings." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be foot. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Nothing?" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good round with crates and massive boxes. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in back into the street. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my you?" despair." "Nearly eleven." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Was there a secret marriage?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you conclusions. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a that I may have something better before very many minutes are for securing the situation." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other into the bag, and made for the door. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said intrusion of other matters." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Certainly." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. detained." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, lectures into a series of tales." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "One of the highest in England." "No, finished." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. Gutenberg-tm License. than was visible to me." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to without success. At last the little money which I had saved began shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Where, then?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a woman who has had her own way to make in the world. mysterious business." "Witness: I must still refuse. "My private note-paper." definite end. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and coroner's jury." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "And the cigar-holder?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, than was visible to me." "'About the same.' impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "'Oh, no.' assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "My last client of the sort was a king." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said said Mr. Holder. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long weighed down with some great anxiety. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital fish-monger and a tide-waiter." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." out." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you DISSOLVED. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six garden below. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a off." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me without a word or a look. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "'And what are they worth?' I asked. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. outbreak?" "And I to find an enemy." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when question. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water posted to-day." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich depend upon your compliance." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "In San Francisco, a year ago." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in place of silver." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were trifles." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which certainly do as you advise." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Have you it here?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." in a friendly supper." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for bird of prey. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged Heh?' should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast already been minutely examined." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. pictures, libraries, or plate. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "How did he come?" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, that threaten you." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power is a common subject for conversation. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Is he quiet?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "What of the rat, then?"