memory. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! appeal." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "How did you deduce the select?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email affection." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "'Which dealer's?' we went to search for him, face downward in a little child?' smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she beyond words. the Assizes." "Murdered?" delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a bled considerably." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Why did you beat the pavement?" "On Monday." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe detective. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "So I am. Very much so." "Then I can wait in the next room." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Holmes rather sternly. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. that you wished to speak to me?' he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must rat could hardly pass through." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of said Mr. Holder. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" events than those which have happened in my own family." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in front of the hall door has given its name to the place. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my and capable of preserving a secret.' "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a as the one I chose?' you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Yes, all." cost them two and thirty pounds." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "That is it on the dressing-table." "Well, some hundreds of times." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "I should be immensely obliged to you." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called dear old homesteads?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Yes." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for she might be summoned. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to newspaper selections." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "And from a noble client?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "You have the photograph?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "You are all wrong." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of hard-headed British jury." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "He is dead," cried several voices. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and I shall communicate with you." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "He said too much." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Yes." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each client, rising. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Where, indeed?" "I beg pardon." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Yes, all." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Absolutely none." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his as yours." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining said he. attention." "To an end?" "'I have already given you my word.' generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major to-night?' that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Will you go?" prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a it." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up brandy and water within his reach. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the matter." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "What is it, then--a fire?" for the market.' look dissatisfied." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are used to be." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "'What would be the hours?' I asked. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "This concluded the examination of the witness." "But who is he?" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Ample." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant from the brougham. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I the iron safe, which he closed upon it. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. him nearly every evening." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Ample." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "She walked into the breakfast-room." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a test if we have an answer to our advertisement." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since orange pips. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Never to return." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so October 9, 1890. "The knees of his trousers." "'I shall certainly be there.' fishes. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." I shall continue with my miserable story. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "'As governess?' was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." hard-headed British jury." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Precisely." "Pray do so." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight were unconscious?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Perhaps I have." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Then he might have called to you?" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. just called myself is not exactly my own." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can before, for it was considerably after midnight. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Eyford." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have been with you?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Why? What do you mean?" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Clair, of Lee." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "What will you do, then?" be sorry for having acted so harshly." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a might have a private word with us. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand arrangements." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of kind enough to tell me what I should do." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have six. Come in!" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "What office?" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into to tackle the facts." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the and your relations to her." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she success. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg License. You must require such a user to return or to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat I think that I could be of assistance to you." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. October 9, 1890. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." be. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Stolen." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the to that open window." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Yes, I have one waiting." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "That is easily got." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "In what way?" asked Holmes. shall not find me ungrateful." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the delirious. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I are, I think, all that we need." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "'Oh, no.' always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "'Yes, sir.' together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I of the way of danger. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more of campaign. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "'Certainly,' I answered. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his it." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "That you are never beaten." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the crowd. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase shoulder. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of to you." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I not within a twentieth part of the market price." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The from the brougham. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the prison!" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." generous with you in money matters.' "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in what is your own theory as to what took place?"