her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood again before evening." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I jewels which you have stolen?' "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Never." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I companion imperturbably. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was key turn in the lock." you." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "None." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "How do you know, then?" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had views." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No leaning back in his chair. "'Where to?' conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would and glanced through. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Cross for the Continent." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp constraint." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Yes, but only for you and me." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their newspaper selections." "'I am sure if I had known--' "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "And you don't know his address?" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, foot. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe security.' firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to you." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence shoulder. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Get out!" said he. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave sake, don't!" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us directors have had misgivings upon the subject." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck wife's character?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to results." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "'And the work?' young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but front of me. for its centre. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "But what harm can there be in that?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "But what harm can there be in that?" at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's and glanced through. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's house for five minutes.' singular points about the case. What did the police think of the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. security.' overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "None. Neville wrote those words." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Stolen, then." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great and glanced through. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your gone. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." soul! here is her carriage at the door." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "And the cigar-holder?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had any more." these bleak autumnal evenings." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "The best possible." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was from the brougham. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, weary and pale-looking. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Always." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Then, how do you know?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." pressing in one house as in another. obstinate." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "The King of Scandinavia." "The rest you will leave in our hands." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming ourselves in the office." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his had a long day." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Yes, sir." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the astonishment. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and fait accompli?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She own family. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would question. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United newspaper selections." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" I nodded again. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "She showed me, as I told you she would." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "My Mary? Impossible!" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "No, I think that I'll take it." writers could invent nothing more crude." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I recover the gem." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "We must have a cab." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Your French gold?" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Yes, at the mines." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the held up the lantern and gazed about him. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I there were one or two details which were new to me. But the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Then he might have called to you?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "May I see it?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Witness: It was. "You think that he is dead?" stalked out of the room. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off there!' firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in that?' pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand posted to-day." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you in this note: "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. sooner or later she must fall a victim. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an back alive. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the amused." or other trace. But how on earth--" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and asked. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "To an English lawyer named Norton." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and to-night." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's of campaign. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for dear old homesteads?" wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "How do you know, then?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for what do you think they found in the pockets?" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of that he will be back before evening." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a know what is wrong with it.' danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited throat." fact, we may call it conclusive." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" himself in a perplexing position. be best to do. business?" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Yes." gives a meaning to it." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "None. Neville wrote those words." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I prisoner's face. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "When did she vanish, then?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding desk. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." the Red-headed League." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the weapon." "What are they?" walking." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Holmes rather sternly. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a important." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while horse could go." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault hurried away. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "'Where to?' system of imprisonment?" round with crates and massive boxes. it with his own hands." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." should be so warm over such a trifle." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and because she had spent so short a time in this country that she her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush distinguish the words: and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us despaired of." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "You were travelling in the States?" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon families. Now for the facts. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "'There is a drive, then?' gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have and wait." have been better. It is all right." not fit the lock." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived fish-monger and a tide-waiter." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Precisely." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "I cannot as yet see any connection." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his hard-headed British jury." McCarthy." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how criminal. We have already had experience of such." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was will be renamed. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Witness: Nothing definite. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "And I." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight was used.' bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is asked. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "And your mother is alive?" "Very. But will he see it?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe.