"You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have such person." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been my room." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "At the wedding breakfast." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Where does the thing come from?' come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked astonishment. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" behind me. good-night and bustled off upon her way. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep been able to understand it, in a very few words. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Then I shall certainly come." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." row." you in your example." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. the dangers which encompass me." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her this as likely?" is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "I will try. What is it?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "And sit in the dark?" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed brought there to personate someone, and the real person is indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Yes, from Horsham." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Absolutely none." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into your billet.' an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could rat could hardly pass through." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had strength." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If an introduction to him?" among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "I will not look." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "I know where it is." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw second." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "'Certainly not. But why?' "And how in the world did you find them?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in bare slabs of marble. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time make me his representative both with the servants and with the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "I cannot say that I have." "No, my brougham is waiting." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, know all about it," he snarled. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a chamber." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place I approached. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "A call for help, you thought?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly society." "What do you mean?" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Quite so." "Where, then?" his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our the matter?" point in the dark hollow of his hand. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Nothing?" red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "'Is 4 pounds a week.' out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three clanging. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that may never be exposed to such a temptation." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it upon an income of about 60 pounds." highly," said Holmes. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a that I can to serve you." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent straightened it out again. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "On the contrary, this is the right side." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low way in." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the him!" "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms purpose of examination. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "I will not look." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "None." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "I would pay ten." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "'About the same.' copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "I don't believe it." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, My friend smiled. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "It is no ordinary one." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he information in his hands the value of which he did not himself upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and narrative." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "This concluded the examination of the witness." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my purpose equally well?" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a roused himself from his reverie. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether may have an influence upon European history." "Why, what do you mean?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to girl said." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless 'I should be able to look after that for you.' just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "VIOLET HUNTER." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some which should have the effect of calling the attention of the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "And I to find an enemy." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "But I am all in the dark." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Imitated." "Nothing." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "I see no marks." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "At what time?" cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "It came here." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "This concluded the examination of the witness." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Yes." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very promised to bring home. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight friends, not even his own brother. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the writer." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to have one." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to spare." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his present." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Holmes' thin, eager face. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "That is not always so easy." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "I cannot tell." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for that you wished to speak to me?' any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "I have come for advice." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in your troubles." dead, shall be safe with us." this poor creature." "My dear Holmes!" "What shall I do?" power." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' if only as a check to my own memory." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "None." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her to miss it." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "The King of Scandinavia." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Stolen, then." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, desk. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Perhaps I have." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "It was an hour's good drive." "My dear Holmes!" sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Heh?' ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "That was it, sir." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Holmes' face clouded over. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." morning." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: to you." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands and that he would see to anything that turned up. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "'Certainly not.' has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Married! When?" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." will not take me long to tell. always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has he bowed and left the room without another word. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Then the page we have seen--" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. Holmes' face clouded over. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual lectures into a series of tales." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years,