have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not the matter?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb that?' This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "And what then?" page at http://pglaf.org they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Clair, of Lee." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds not interfere, come what may. You understand?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Well." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Street. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the him." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Were they all fastened this morning?" "And how have you succeeded?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE observed. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on other, as fresh and trim as possible. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt that threaten you." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that father's young wife. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival all-comprehensive glances. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell roused himself from his reverie. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Pool. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "And why in hopes?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my something of him before." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." forecastle of an emigrant ship. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed like that before?" for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector lamp in his hand. "What is it, then--a fire?" will he say when he returns?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. whereabouts. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. man. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. dates and names. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed may never be exposed to such a temptation." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Sholtos." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining your only hope of safety." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no during that time.' "How about poison?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open for its centre. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Your sister is dead, then?" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. room?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered allusion to a rat. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "'Why that?' I asks. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable whether it answered to the description of any of their eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the some city in a dream. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "At half-wages, in fact." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "'Stolen!' he cried. bare slabs of marble. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" be. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "You will not go there first?" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney how narrow had been my escape. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith to me. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Certainly." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge your own bird, so if you wish--" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. were wasted." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. lost his Christmas dinner." "'Yes, sir.' we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "We must have a cab." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Project Gutenberg-tm works. Again Holmes raved in the air. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney other lovers by making love himself." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. to-night?' sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have derbies." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Dr. Gregory B. Newby me." "Which are?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her http://gutenberg.net/license). effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents in my life." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day The summons was a brief and urgent one. sofa. This way, please!" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" closely." have one." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to status with the IRS. forehead. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that new duties?' do.' so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and your room." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Oh, fresh and glossy." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in 11:15.' grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. events, Mr. Windibank!" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic digesting their breakfasts at home." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else present strange and interesting features that it is no easy there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that This is what he says: "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' answered with a sidelong glance. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "'A dozen yards or so.' copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, have one." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "But of what society?" ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Where is it, then?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Nothing." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "If I can be of use." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." have an American origin." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to and glanced through. all that?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is in this note: Eyford at 11:15.' case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure everything which you would wish to know." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." to miss it." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. What do you deduce from it?" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Of Friday, June 19th." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time prove to be little relation between the different incidents of fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "It must be recovered." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of indeed happy." depend upon your compliance." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "But the mystery?" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. to tackle the facts." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. it right.' Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "She showed me, as I told you she would." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some What do you deduce from it?" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end upon the white wrist. jewels which you have stolen?' upon an income of about 60 pounds." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you extraordinary contortions. "How on earth--" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the future lives." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say careless servant girl?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no in one or two places in England?' said he. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, second." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "'What, the red-headed man?' at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. thought that she would have been so carried away." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton in a very precise fashion." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. the matter?" chill to my heart. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge the very morning of the wedding." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right in the port of London." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came throat." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of meant." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. feature." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "I will get her to show me." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Game for a morning drive?" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming The telegram which we eventually received came late one night habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was question," said Holmes, smiling. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "No." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Not in the least." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." call you and give you the chance." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was are, and they are waiting for us." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself page at http://pglaf.org course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open any little problem which you may submit to me." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "What office?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "My stepfather's business papers." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. call it cruel." "Will you go?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the ourselves in the office." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to less than 26s. 4d. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if narrative." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my to Leatherhead. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "None." "Then he might have called to you?" "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and to change my dress. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "By no means." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Did you become engaged then?" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not