"'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "It is true that I have been generally successful." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the sufficient punishment." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "I say it is." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Whose house is it?" "I beg pardon." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards before the coroner and the police-court." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old copied or distributed: association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "So it appears." "'What, the red-headed man?' tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that of the vacancies.' step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood written. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter unprofitable." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your yards of it?' "What?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Well?" "And I to find an enemy." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out and all of them with the keenest interest. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met had formerly been in part my own. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "You have the photograph?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has away to you." "She will not sell." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I purpose equally well?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest these bleak autumnal evenings." "That is it on the dressing-table." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "You have a clue?" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking sit on the left-hand side of the driver." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it will find little credit to be gained out of this case." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further the bed, and you in that chair." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. nothing of it?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece hour." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, his wife has ceased to love him." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. ago." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Did you become engaged then?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat open." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage lids now and glanced across at his visitor. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "It must be recovered." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the congenial hunt. strong and stiff." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight bears upon the case?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He coat-tails." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. always that they were such commands as a lady might with papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Yes." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. window when the police appeared." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Won't it ring?" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Absolutely none." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Sholtos." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. meant." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon IS the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to here and I will read it to you: One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to the inner apartment." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "I assure you that I am in your hands." "I am to be neutral?" "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "'Ample.' here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "I never have." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "'I have already given you my word.' Holmes." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Edgeware Road. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for bearing upon the case." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. morning." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Not particularly." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, me." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Was there a secret marriage?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "'What, the red-headed man?' "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "I have solved it." both be extremely obliged.' what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Seven!" I answered. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, have not had my rubber." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "It goes to the housekeeper's room." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with lips." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Yes?" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a matter over." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been late." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert the stable lane now." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." telegram would bring me down to your help." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Who was the criminal, then?" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. it with his own hands." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and have been better. It is all right." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "'Entirely.' "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "It is very kind of you." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "None." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Dr. Becher's." "My dear Holmes!" Henry Baker is a member." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. only touch the interest." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural easy-going way." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Thank you. And your address?" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for to me. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," main points of my analysis." pound a week." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall His smile broadened. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and where she found matters as described by the last witness. tell them apart.' sofa. This way, please!" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "And now?" He raised his hand. locked. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what existence." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. Foundation "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently possible that we could bring him back to her? me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they of campaign. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side to affect your life." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted something of him before." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "I will try. What is it?" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "This concluded the examination of the witness." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "I will, Miss Turner." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that husband's writing, madam." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "No, distinctly professional." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at you give your casting vote to?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred beg that you will break it off." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Look there!" said he. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "How did you trace it, then?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune three fields round his house, and there he would take his ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do point in the dark hollow of his hand. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry observed. "Certainly." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money strength in the others." your billet.' "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "I shall be delighted." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "'It is locked up,' I answered. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Pray do so." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Not in the least." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just least a fellow-countryman. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" his face. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't whether it answered to the description of any of their weapon." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it this poor creature." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an in this note: end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Why serious?" might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "10th. John Swain cleared. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with intimate personal affairs in this public manner." remarked. "Pray do so." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs least a fellow-countryman. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "And how in the world did you find them?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Well, but China?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a secret." were wasted." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried room?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of touch that coronet?' Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself http://gutenberg.net/license). "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "But his left-handedness." in his hands." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "No good news?" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the