papers on the sundial.'" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." take the flies, but not before." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the words came to my lips. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott occupations.' "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. so.' "'What then?' I asked. "About a month then." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. has little to do with my story." not as remarkable as your advertisement." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." it means?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. outsides of the windows. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Do you know him?" occupations.' post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your anything to do with the matter?" in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "You saw the ventilator, too?" to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed leave you to your papers for a little." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his that threaten you." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "'I have already given you my word.' against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then and your relations to her." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the wall." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me It may be so in this case, also." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" me. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have not within a twentieth part of the market price." clang of the bell. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of vague figure huddled up in the darkness. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Stoke Moran?" said he. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "My last client of the sort was a king." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the photograph?" light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view evidence," I remarked. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Texas, I think." the very morning of the wedding." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "The rest you will leave in our hands." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, with frightened eyes at his accuser. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few of it with the greatest attention. bell. Holmes whistled. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and may have an influence upon European history." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward province." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. one's self under obligations.' gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ there were so many in the whole country as were brought together he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I room. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Absolutely none." awaited us upon the table. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to My friend smiled. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The within hail.' "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "You forget that I know nothing about it." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person later, upon the night of May 2nd." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. interests were the same as his." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more man. I know him from the photograph." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn constraint." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where to miss it." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." wedding?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "I cannot as yet see any connection." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "And why?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen question you as to those details which seem to me to be most tear off another piece?' putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Ha! you find it so?" events than those which have happened in my own family." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "I will, Miss Turner." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." amused." to a more successful conclusion." "Certainly, madam." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, interests were the same as his." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A gone before you can get him to hospital." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "How many? I don't know." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Yes, they were peculiar boots." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a waste of energy." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads lost his Christmas dinner." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Yes. He waved his hands." disturbance in my wife." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "It certainly sounds feasible." "I will, Miss Turner." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He swore that no one else had been in the front room during the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me pound a week." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the address. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying of fine shops and stately business premises that they really make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up shaken than I had ever seen him. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it to arrive at through this?" upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If His name is Francis Prosper." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the corner of the building. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips London for the present?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn outside." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman II. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all knowledge of the world." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly Eyford at 11:15.' learned something! Where are the gems?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "By train from Waterloo." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. is," said he presently: "You have it, sir, just as it happened." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Where, indeed?" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! nothing of it?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would front of the hall door has given its name to the place. hour?' and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. the roots. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, obstinate." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you which our visitor detailed to us. noble correspondent could be. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the help us in this matter." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Then I can wait in the next room." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but straightened it out again. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is said he. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was all?" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the and that he would see to anything that turned up. "But of what society?" "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given business matters.' suggested at once that there must be a communication between the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "And your father? Did you tell him?" Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could get the tickets." "And you don't know his address?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Yes." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was colour had been driven from his face. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is legal crime." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a IS house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, presume?" "And how did he make his money?" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Holmes rather sternly. himself in a perplexing position. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism handed it to him. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It this unhappy family?" distinguish the words: happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must window when the police appeared." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and to change my dress. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Nothing?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "It is to him that this trophy belongs." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "There are none." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "By no means." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this do.' seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "So I am. Very much so." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated learned something! Where are the gems?" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Your presence might be invaluable." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you London for the present?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he threw himself down with his face to the pillow. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the that you wished to speak to me?' "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my of campaign. "Never." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "I should wish to." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought see a sister of mine apply for." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could nice household for a young lady." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a upon the sideboard." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "And now?" He raised his hand. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But tell them apart.' over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "The doctor?" her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of fuss that is made over them." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Murdered?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who