breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "At the wedding breakfast." "Yes." fear." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards yet." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "This concluded the examination of the witness." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has I took the paper from him and read as follows: ashen face. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging thought that she would have been so carried away." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Seven!" I answered. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Will you go?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to such person." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "What do you mean?" down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think crackling voice. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared sake, don't!" "BALLARAT." them present such singular features as the strange train of vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Yes." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would in the hope of finding them." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, cigars in the box." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the better grown goose." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, unclasping of his long thin hands. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved and the church but not where the lady lived." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that morning." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from and files of the old papers, following the future career of every We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "I should be immensely obliged to you." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel shoulder; "he's all right." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "To an end?" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. door?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "A greater distance to travel." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my bed dies. Does not that strike you?" the very morning of the wedding." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "My photograph." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a everything which you would wish to know." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study him!" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "'Stolen!' he cried. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in whereabouts. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business writing, and yet I know it well." the devil!" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I said Mr. Holder. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Did your wife hear all this?" present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows hour?' too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "How do you know, then?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if not come at once?" gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "One of the highest in England." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque My friend smiled. one of the states of the Union." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Quite so." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, intrusion of other matters." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "That is unusual in a young girl." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of criminal. We have already had experience of such." your own bird, so if you wish--" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "By all means." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of a suggestive one." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "And now?" He raised his hand. imbecility!" he cried. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a colonel looking down at me. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which the tragedy. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police late!' overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Stolen." "It was." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left he. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small mysterious business." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took again, where I was soon asleep. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Imitated." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "We have tried and failed." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties interested in these little problems, and since you are good homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "An accident, I presume?" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Nothing?" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." outsides of the windows. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to you came in." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "In San Francisco, a year ago." know all about it," he snarled. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "I cannot imagine." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "One horse?" interjected Holmes. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Very much so." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for tail." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon both be extremely obliged.' kindly on the shoulder. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, skylight. "No more words. Get out!" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Foundation marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "So I heard. You have him here?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "And sit in the dark?" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have distance from the station, and there we found the young lady villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "May I see it?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "What of the rat, then?" the one as in the other." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Then the page we have seen--" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" on re-entering her father's house?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Indeed! Whose, then?" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE in the port of London." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Yes." door?" trifles." make me his representative both with the servants and with the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my some water from a caraffe. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with the window, rose as we entered. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her Leadenhall Street--and--" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Eyford." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that people don't know." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the desk. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits that, and I came down." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "And sit in the dark?" unprecedented a position." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Yes, the wine-cellar." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your always that they were such commands as a lady might with going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been observed. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from the ceiling. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. fattened it expressly for you.' to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "My Mary? Impossible!" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the written. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine been able to understand it, in a very few words. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Nothing?" main points of my analysis." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "No, I had a dozen." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself again before evening." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, thirty. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. soul! here is her carriage at the door." retorted upon me, and I on you." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I humiliation." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for telegram would bring me down to your help." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "'Where to?' sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed conclusions. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Holmes." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not that he will be back before evening." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been which should have the effect of calling the attention of the British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was the night.' madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, the address that was given us in the advertisement. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "He might." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this