come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "And Irene Adler?" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which been." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, go back?" during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. carried out of court." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." would then never go into court at all." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and all-comprehensive glances. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and man. I know him from the photograph." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and acquaintance?" "Bought." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get cheerful." "So I have heard." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so strange features which were associated with the two crimes which dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. appeared upon the scene." fat-encircled eyes. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case has little to do with my story." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." crime. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Well?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a was lame." ways of our fellow-men." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to felt the room to be a little close.' Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending little adventures." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Indeed! Whose, then?" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "And how have you succeeded?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. will not take me long to tell. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a thin legs towards the fire. open." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, distinguish the words: from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the memory. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "You think that he is dead?" made his money." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Eyford." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to when your master had gone out." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "What then?" examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not His smile broadened. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "I cannot as yet see any connection." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." husband's writing, madam." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Yes." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." compunction about shooting them down." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you lamp in his hand. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. writer." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, sufficient punishment." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had whole matter to your consideration." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Of what day?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that You want to know what became of those geese?" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard conclusions. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the asked with his eyes open. the window, rose as we entered. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Ha! you find it so?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of in this way: broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of lost his Christmas dinner." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." down. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "You horrify me!" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. lamp. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his that he has suffered." "Yes. He waved his hands." cost them two and thirty pounds." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "You saw the ventilator, too?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that burst out into a roar of laughter. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Quite so." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "That is easily got." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." dates and names. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of becomes even more simple." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the pierced for earrings?" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and intrusion of other matters." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "You forget that I know nothing about it." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or little trying to do so much typewriting?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "And I say east," said my patient. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his recover the gem." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds interest. They are important, you understand, without being of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. and laid it on the table. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look remarked. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll an introduction to him?" corner of the building. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his to talk it over. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers answered with a sidelong glance. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a but preventing her from injuring another. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "None." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved fish-monger and a tide-waiter." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "But what harm can there be in that?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not floor. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what approach us with offers to donate. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every legal crime." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to once more. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria his forehead." chair. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg that over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked appeared upon the scene." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It that there was nothing in it, after all." "Have you it here?" Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. never to learn it at all." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Yes." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Always." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an is a common subject for conversation. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I for its centre. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as woman." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in certainly not very gracious." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. whatever might befall. several quiet little villages up there." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "It is true that I have been generally successful." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your his face which made him a very different person to the round, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Nothing?" into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this The summons was a brief and urgent one. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "10th. John Swain cleared. questioning and rather startled gaze. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more sake, don't!" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six union?" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that if she died from some sudden fright." maiden herself was most instructive." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days shall not find me ungrateful." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the in his hands." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I It was close upon four before the door opened, and a years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. of a light. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself leave you to your papers for a little." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Then, as to money?" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an ago." wedding?" which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "May I see it?" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out all?" "Well, some hundreds of times." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "What can you not understand?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to bonnet, and went out." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a for securing the situation." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had you understand?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed of his shoulders. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute way: When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." DISSOLVED. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "It certainly sounds feasible." tied." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his experiences." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice