"Danger! What danger do you foresee?" the warnings." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of new acquaintance to Baker Street. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to digesting their breakfasts at home." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." His name is Francis Prosper." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on nonsense.' "'Quite sure, dad.' Henry Baker is a member." "Your presence might be invaluable." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular directly by questioning you." "Stoke Moran?" said he. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the rooms." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should you." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, lips." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "What can you not understand?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Frequently." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to them?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers case-book, which he consulted. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the at a side door. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Yes." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one my special province." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure most important business. It is probable that he will be away all the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of than to us. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant any little problem which you may submit to me." "I see many objections to any such theory." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Has he come with you to-night?" passage and a tap at the door. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear standing smiling on the door-step. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit lids now and glanced across at his visitor. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society to a light-house. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "A thing like a cleaver," said he. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the means taking possession of that which another person has a prior What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Very murderous indeed." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a at home. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Surrey." "Entirely." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "And I say east," said my patient. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "'Where could I find him?' "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Here?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is that he has suffered." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "But his left-handedness." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "'What, the red-headed man?' light and attacked it." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time memory. "I have come for advice." any little problem which you may submit to me." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I the room while you explain this matter?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was detained." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we were unconscious?" chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are 1.F. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now really the only notable feature about the thing." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly have not had my rubber." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood to tackle the facts." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "I will, Miss Turner." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which cheerful." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Who was the criminal, then?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, would apply.' receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a to that open window." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, definite end. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and the room while you explain this matter?" bachelor.' adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Nothing." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "'A dozen yards or so.' "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and pierced for earrings?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Entirely." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, business matters.' of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "It is very kind of you." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Pool. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are must compliment you." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the and inquire as to the address." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been success. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was quick march!" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" awaited us upon the table. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking careless servant girl?" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the someone who had been in Australia." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss my former friend and companion. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "No, I am descending." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow away in different directions, and I went off to make my own the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, fluttered off among the others. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his death." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid child?' and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "'Ample.' "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let views." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." friends, not even his own brother. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, washing it down with a long draught of water. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled to-night?' grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "No, my brougham is waiting." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per the little opening for the ventilator is." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to a few minutes he said that it would be all right. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "But she could not love him." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and companion. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not heavily into it. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been hard-headed British jury." some city in a dream. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan not personally threatened." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "What then?" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements III. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Then I am your man." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You are windows in it, of course?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Then you may be so with me." strong and stiff." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society know that the truth is known." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. been with you?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the shall not find me ungrateful." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as danger is over." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "His face fell immediately. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." of." you." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "No sign of it?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "One of his hands." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her asked with his eyes open. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the running down." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "The rest you will leave in our hands." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Gutenberg-tm License. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have were new raised from a basin. sneer upon his pale face. bearing upon the case." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea most interesting one." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. touch that coronet?' and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "I know where it is." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, think that any burglar could have done. the loss of it. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, John Swain, of St. Augustine. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "You are all wrong." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "The Cedars?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if think you a quite exceptional woman." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "My photograph." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave been deceived." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise