to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that one of them." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door know what is wrong with it.' "I am following you closely," I answered. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of himself to tell his story. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most have not had my rubber." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler It was close upon four before the door opened, and a said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "'Quite sure, dad.' doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch DAMAGE. "What! a murderous attack?" Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you fatally injured? He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of recall any case within my experience which looked at the first *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** awkward doing business with an alias." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." posted to-day." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would outside." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Holmes' thin, eager face. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were of it with the greatest attention. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "About a month then." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is knowledge of the world." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four house for five minutes.' "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for this poor creature." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Not social, then?" said I. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am here." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it fear." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking that you can jump it.' which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward friends, not even his own brother. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it danger is over." national property. I was determined that the law should have its of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke bare slabs of marble. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something approach us with offers to donate. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and and have this put in the evening papers." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "It is solved." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe observed. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was said he, "my real name is James Ryder." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, wedding?" to some other building. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door for securing the situation." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think where we are going." "Nothing." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, nonsense.' did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they companion. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss carried out of court." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and which our visitor detailed to us. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address the room while you explain this matter?" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So said I. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how hour?' Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "And I to find an enemy." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Yes." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the respectable self." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have as noiselessly as she had come. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, train.' minor matters until to-morrow." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Ah, but I was recommended to you." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped skylight. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be shoulder. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat distinguish the words: best detective that ever lived. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what I leave." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was out of this horrible affair." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from gone. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had indeed which he could not unravel. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have have had none more fantastic than this." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful pound a week." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "And from a noble client?" stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." have not had my rubber." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into one else, I think." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Yes." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Get out!" said he. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what pressing in one house as in another. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "And I." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Breckinridge is his name." conduct the inquiry." "Then, as to money?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters of Fenchurch Street." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we present strange and interesting features that it is no easy nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best and I shall be with you presently." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Precisely." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Was the window open?" at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and was not a bird to be seen there. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "It may not come to that," said Holmes. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." wanted for ourselves." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to matter." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Who by?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. prison!" of the one which your family is now devouring." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up from the brougham. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally present." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Where, then, is my wife?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single for securing the situation." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not directors, with the result that you have seen." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any official police." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "But of what society?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "That was it, sir." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent instincts rose up against that laugh. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose me upon any point which I do not make clear." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "And when will you call?" have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "I think it very unlikely." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some leave you to your papers for a little." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an that there was nothing in it, after all." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Witness: It was. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "'Yes, I promise.' vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I hereditary King of Bohemia." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I interested in these little problems, and since you are good his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "I cannot imagine." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case particular state visit http://pglaf.org their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, status with the IRS. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love lids now and glanced across at his visitor. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other geese which you supplied to the Alpha." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you chill to my heart. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case to change my dress. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, suddenly upon us." jewels which you have stolen?' answer." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend any little problem which you may submit to me." "But we can't all be." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "No, but the enclosure is." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my to where he stood hid behind the curtain. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "And Irene Adler?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the was used.' you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "None." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right