me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Why serious?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "And how?" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working business in the City. She little knew what. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "No, but the enclosure is." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the coroner's jury." kind enough to tell me what I should do." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for to-night?' at a side door. Countess of Morcar's?" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Well, some hundreds of times." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "'Which dealer's?' "Come in!" said he. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm round and wave him away like that.' "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. you." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my the stones. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point away into the river." "Very much so." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. coat-tails." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "I say it is." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater ago." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great even so self-evident a thing as that." delirious. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of were wasted." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. system of imprisonment?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before the general public were present, then?" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a you." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "No, distinctly professional." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "And why in hopes?" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over results." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been directly by questioning you." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do train.' money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the presume?" vault. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to what I may call a really hard day's work." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are until night should bring an explanation. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford the night.' Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I this as likely?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Not social, then?" persecution?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "How did he come?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "But of what society?" "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. allusion to a rat. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to extraordinary contortions. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "'Is purely nominal.' door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Dr. Gregory B. Newby "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. official police." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Have you good authority for what you say?" "It is possible." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been you found me to-night--and running through the front room she settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Yes, only one." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've had this final quarrel? fire. You quite follow me?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's do you make of it all?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I out." tell them apart.' glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight strange features which were associated with the two crimes which his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" before, for it was considerably after midnight. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, confronted him. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical individual and becomes the badge of a society." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "No legal papers or certificates?" place of silver." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "And is that all?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge This is what he says: III. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "What do you make of that, Watson?" "My dear Holmes!" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning good-night and bustled off upon her way. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "I should like to see him very much." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the before the coroner and the police-court." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it not, dad?" she asked. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all least a most suspicious remark." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Not I." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the tightly behind him. purpose equally well?" perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his questioning and rather startled gaze. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, I shall continue with my miserable story. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Really! You surprise me." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "No." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Ten will be early enough." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Yes." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went very morning of my second wedding." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my strong and stiff." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Could he throw no light?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "By all means." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Yes." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." not within a twentieth part of the market price." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "How did you deduce the select?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook coroner's jury." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "It is very kind of you." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly breakfast." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "What is it?" papers on the sundial.'" there was no need for father to know." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which bedroom door." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the I have it here in my museum." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' Count Von Kramm." a room. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "'It is locked up,' I answered. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous stood on the top of it. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can it with his own hands." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A hopeless attempt at recovering them." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is of Mr. Rucastle's." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" directors, with the result that you have seen." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she article?" Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must fear." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the who was a member of your goose club." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two stammered. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "You are certainly joking, Holmes." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not his grey eyes. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "We must sit without light. He would see it through the followed. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Precisely." business matters.' the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "That was it, sir." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, seem to you to be relevant or not." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old ill-usage at the hands of fortune. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "What shall I do?" he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did garden below. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "What are they?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Ten will be early enough." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the matter." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both strode off upon his way. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the very old mansion. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Where, then?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "I should wish to." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. it with his own hands." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his long narrative. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' whole matter to your consideration." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "When did she vanish, then?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. sparkled upon his finger. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw enough to aid us in our search." "And Miss Sutherland?"