"Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I returning from some small jollification and was making his way "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, it." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "But I have heard all that you have heard." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." I was concerned in it." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side would apply.' carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Her father is very rich?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away lectures into a series of tales." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your I shall communicate with you." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector This is what he says: flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened have one." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Then I am your man." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is breakfast?" Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp that I may have something better before very many minutes are "And help." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' III. himself to tell his story. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that showing my impatience. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second closely." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Holmes." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric in this way: come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "How are you getting on?" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman that you wished to speak to me?' here and I will read it to you: had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be that there was nothing in it, after all." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, matter." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who use an arc-and-compass breastpin." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his be there in time for your coming." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more if she died from some sudden fright." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Quite so." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Always." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." some water from a caraffe. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "But to whom?" British peeress.'" "A call for help, you thought?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "'Yes, I promise.' "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. learned something! Where are the gems?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he which we had just quitted. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the again on its way. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "I was mad--insane." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public you." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had gone. conclusions. fattened it expressly for you.' to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "My own seal." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and long narrative. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick suspect him." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." to tackle the facts." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre young Openshaw's." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, could gather together that I was able to avert another public one else, I think." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I delirious. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" once more to my work. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Where did he live, then?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "And how?" with frightened eyes at his accuser. disappearance of the bride.'" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then both be extremely obliged.' which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Not yet." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Nor running a chance of arrest?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "It is his hat." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have writer." pierced for earrings?" "Your presence might be invaluable." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking place of silver." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. seem to you to be relevant or not." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "An accident, I presume?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been get her out of the way." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Yes, from Horsham." at my remark. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of hour." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest and the colonel ushered me in. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I spare." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "'Certainly not.' learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "What then?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are be.' "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very likely to be some crony of the landlady's." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project which we had just quitted. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the very letters. But what is this written above them?' searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. did not hear it also.' skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. spark where all is dark to me." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Holmes." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been writer." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary photograph a cabinet?" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "'I am sure that I do not know.' to tackle the facts." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "How did that help you?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to husband's writing, madam." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down your most interesting statement." the tragedy. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "She showed me, as I told you she would." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I rat could hardly pass through." criminal. We have already had experience of such." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is that I am arrested." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "I have my revolver," said I. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked it with his own hands." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he conclusions. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "What! a murderous attack?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "And I." "Your presence might be invaluable." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Dark enough and sinister enough." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. have got?" uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given be best to do. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "On Monday." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to pictures, libraries, or plate. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner asked with his eyes open. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall discontent upon his features. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a showing my impatience. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than seen the man in the road." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was It was close upon four before the door opened, and a he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. then?" friend's singular character. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. bachelor.' helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very back to my heart. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "How long did she speak to this Alice?" other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then absorbing." "And why?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, signal between you and your father? you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and murdered man." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." me where it went to?" bled considerably." "I cannot tell." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a Stoke Moran." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square see me here to avoid scandal." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning wedding?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to the one as in the other." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the himself to hunt down. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, I. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to