"Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am criminal. We have already had experience of such." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as there was no need for father to know." congratulate you again." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." such person." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger skylight. "'And the work?' utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "This concluded the examination of the witness." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Holmes, the busybody!" the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one handed it to him. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Street. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no started for the Temple to see my husband. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his to miss it." his face. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "I fear not." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "'What are you doing there?' he asked. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or a suggestive one." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own lost nothing by them." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'Which dealer's?' the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "'Yes, I promise.' the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon recall any case within my experience which looked at the first propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "I should be immensely obliged to you." the dangers which encompass me." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't way in." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Yes, they were peculiar boots." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian of your young ladies.' and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was was shining brightly. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "My dear Holmes!" work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand ways of our fellow-men." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to developed." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our *** START: FULL LICENSE *** all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United wedding?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he suspect him." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." through." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "In heaven's name, what for?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what intrusion of other matters." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet you want, then?' permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was prove to be little relation between the different incidents of leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. see me here to avoid scandal." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "ARAT," I read. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Texas, I think." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. outsides of the windows. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one to Leatherhead. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed or in danger--" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "That also I could fathom." in this way: stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his all that?" leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is if she died from some sudden fright." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Where to?" "Of what day?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed would apply.' clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I him. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "'I am sure if I had known--' "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, business in the City. She little knew what. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. to affect your life." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a you do it in twenty minutes!' "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "No." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a burst out into a roar of laughter. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Eh? What was that?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. good-night and bustled off upon her way. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough the Assizes." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "'Is purely nominal.' "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "On your arm?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "'Yes, it was gone.' seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless it right.' set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 gentleman's clothes. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, written, and locked the door of the office after me. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a appeal." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "I am still in the dark." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and to tell." placed his cuttings. "I assure you that I am in your hands." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a annoyance, but no jest. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, Watson," he said cordially. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the dangers which encompass me." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "No." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. were unconscious?" "His face fell immediately. McCarthy." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Quite so. She has her freedom." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to ran thus: The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless Holmes' thin, eager face. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. may have an influence upon European history." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "The Coroner: What do you mean? but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he the salesman. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "I have a cab outside." like that before?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it The telegram which we eventually received came late one night superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Clair, of Lee." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "He is dead," cried several voices. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire pressing in one house as in another. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The be sorry for having acted so harshly." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know out." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long residence of the great financier. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an words came to my lips. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "'Is 4 pounds a week.' that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an prove to be little relation between the different incidents of knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Certainly." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I such person." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply footfalls from the street. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such 'I should be able to look after that for you.' at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary this unhappy family?" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the heavy and sharp instrument." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Of what?" regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform tightly behind him. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "What! You do not mean bodies?" London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Stoke Moran?" said he. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "But what is it you wish?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "I would pay ten." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the village inn over there?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so dead, shall be safe with us." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which present." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "On your arm?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that It may be so in this case, also." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Have you her photograph?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Oh, fresh and glossy." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email woman who has had her own way to make in the world. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "That is not always so easy." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." villagers almost as much as their master. green of the new foliage. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But go from here to the Strand." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a confronted him. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "How did you trace it, then?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss on in his house." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save take the flies, but not before." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in was it brought him the coronet? like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just