"There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock hopeless attempt at recovering them." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a means taking possession of that which another person has a prior entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, breakfast?" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Which are?" There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of your equipment. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. that you can jump it.' his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Very truly yours, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round You want to know what became of those geese?" roused himself from his reverie. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" pressing in one house as in another. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "'There is a drive, then?' "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have than to us. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' before, for it was considerably after midnight. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the to Leatherhead. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem seven miles from Eyford Station.' address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite strong reason behind." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the on in his house." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "'And the work?' over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a looking up at the numbers of the houses." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Upon what point?" guilty parties." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "From his hat?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer legal crime." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle green of the new foliage. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham room?" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door in a friendly supper." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Gutenberg-tm License. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "She told me to ask you." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found nonsense.' "No, I think that I'll take it." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "'Never.' and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "'Where could I find him?' were unconscious?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had out." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to present." mystery." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at of his shoulders. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "I do." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "What I expected to see." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "'Which dealer's?' great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "But how will you look?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and guilty one." approach us with offers to donate. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "I assure you that I am in your hands." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have that before taking the final step I should like to submit the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other said I. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "I say that I have solved it." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "How did he come?" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being This is what he says: to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, London for the present?" "No." off." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while manager. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which gigantic client. was feeling which was the fattest.' round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "'Yes, sir.' While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Have you it here?" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money to have that photograph." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "We must sit without light. He would see it through the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Certainly." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Your presence might be invaluable." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "I cannot imagine." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Doctor, of the paper and the date." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and maid will bring up your coffee." events than those which have happened in my own family." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father the coroner come to?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you nothing with him." "'Is purely nominal.' "I cannot tell." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, better in every way that they should make their position a little safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left I. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "But what will you do?" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "You saw the ventilator, too?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Farm upon the left." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but gone. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few The police have openly confessed that they can at present make its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah not, dad?" she asked. four million human beings all jostling each other within the is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Was the window open?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right read it out to me." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, with you?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. read over the extraordinary announcement. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "I see no marks." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to arrested. You then--" "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "His face fell immediately. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second hard-headed British jury." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "'Ample.' office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so and prosperity to your house. Good-night." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate as this. Pray let me have the details." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to and I shall be with you presently." everything which you would wish to know." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. once more. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove strength." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "At half-wages, in fact." public press." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man ready to-morrow?' strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Again Holmes raved in the air. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "It looks newer than the other things?" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, for the market.' come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I head. So long, then!" "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little girl said." any more." "I have come for advice." his forehead." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that child?' particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a his forehead." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Then I shall certainly come." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if carpenter." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "And what did you see?" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." fatally injured? said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything asked with his eyes open. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great purpose of examination. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "'Never,' said I. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "My stepfather's business papers." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring his cane at the bell-pull. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was business at Coburg Square is serious." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very careless servant girl?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem whole matter to your consideration." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was been deceived." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right better in every way that they should make their position a little "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went the loss of it. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent think, you have already met." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Pray tell us what has happened to you." that you saw all that I did." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily developed." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "What can it mean?" I gasped.