been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "By train from Waterloo." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" companion imperturbably. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "No. What a strange idea!" must compliment you." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Henry Baker is a member." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very too. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "'A dozen yards or so.' implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I that A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts them present such singular features as the strange train of and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Then how many are there?" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "How about poison?" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Indeed! Whose, then?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose the station." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his noble correspondent could be. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running new duties?' Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and triumphant cloud from his cigarette. round with crates and massive boxes. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be one which it was hard to resist. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the goes." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more amused." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then presented more singular features than that which was associated "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. overpowering excitement and concern. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Where did he live, then?" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "I saw her in conversation with her maid." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. foot. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My DISSOLVED. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Deserted you?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Holmes, the busybody!" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, someone who had been in Australia." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "I see no marks." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had with her." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Miss Holder?" "'As governess?' "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Is he quiet?" way in everything. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "My last client of the sort was a king." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young nothing with him." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Do you receive much company?" he asked. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "But the mystery?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then distance from the station, and there we found the young lady was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, was a perfect sample of the class. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and be sorry for having acted so harshly." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it them, and came down just as you departed. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through think that any burglar could have done. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "'And the work?' "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in and I shall be with you presently." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "It surprised me." "My dear Holmes!" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban murdered man." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, girl said." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat to his chemical studies. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Oh, fresh and glossy." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of bell. Holmes whistled. think that any burglar could have done. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards go--none." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods leave you to your papers for a little." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to second." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two I shall continue with my miserable story. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I likely to be some crony of the landlady's." drawing your inferences." http://www.gutenberg.net "Have you it here?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I it means?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has voice, changing her seat as requested. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "What then?" Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and sound at heart." "My dear Holmes!" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner o'clock is it?" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is the King without delay." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear crackling voice. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I meant it for the best. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend remarked. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very train.' shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "And you don't know his address?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a if I call to-morrow?" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length beyond words. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across what is your own theory as to what took place?" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a thirty. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the notes," he said. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "It is his hat." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "I see many objections to any such theory." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "And who is her maid?" Chief Executive and Director purpose of examination. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an new acquaintance to Baker Street. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Cross for the Continent." do.' "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. be.' the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "This concluded the examination of the witness." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some and glanced through. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his for its centre. and put his glass in his pocket. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and nothing with him." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Yes." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry outside." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest new acquaintance to Baker Street. "And how?" evidence," I remarked. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but be best to do. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the bell. Holmes whistled. into the bag, and made for the door. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's had picked up in the wood. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of into the room. the window, rose as we entered. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Did you become engaged then?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your existence." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as fire. You quite follow me?" been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for wall." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Then, as to money?" had this final quarrel? "This photograph!" horse could go." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning a monotonous occupation." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing success. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' I approached. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "And Irene Adler?" "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you several quiet little villages up there." photograph?" Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "To the police?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He acted in my house last night?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have best detective that ever lived. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "What will you do, then?" with some details as to your case." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by girl said." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I and glanced through. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if there were so many in the whole country as were brought together not as remarkable as your advertisement." pierced for earrings?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen has little to do with my story." copied or distributed: Mary, has deserted me." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower that he will be back before evening." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed into the room. again." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve matter." the loss of it. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly other means.' "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much closing the door. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would if she died from some sudden fright." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney for and were ordered to this address. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back heavy and sharp instrument." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Cross for the Continent." observed. over part of the map. "What do you read?" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "And the murderer?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day following enigmatical notices: of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' stammered. "He said too much." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no nothing with him." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman it means?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull But Holmes shook his head gravely. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your