"There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let persecution?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "In what way?" asked Holmes. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, what do you think they found in the pockets?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt if only as a check to my own memory." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Miss Holder?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "We must have a cab." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "And help." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, I leave." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and him to go away.' "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They it with his own hands." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be silent! Oh, he will be silent!' out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the I. the warnings." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but points to suicide?" interests were the same as his." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "None." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face address. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "My stepfather's business papers." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "And now?" I asked. you." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "It is solved." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." train.' Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had your equipment. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent people in all walks of life. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "We were both in the photograph." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." This is what he says: hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress most important business. It is probable that he will be away all of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "None." "If I can be of use." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in your troubles." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about stalked out of the room. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with It may be so in this case, also." "Stolen." you, my dear young lady?' anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he over part of the map. "What do you read?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Pray do so." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the lost his Christmas dinner." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' individual and becomes the badge of a society." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "No?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with when your master had gone out." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "The Coroner: What do you mean? face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Of what?" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, some terrible trap for her." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers foot. here and I will read it to you: piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband DISSOLVED. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Dirty?" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Again Holmes raved in the air. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Get out!" said he. call it cruel." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "And that is--" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Just look it up, then." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for front of me. "Was your sister dressed?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "By no means." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking train from Paddington which would bring you there at about I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then redistribution. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and villagers almost as much as their master. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small I took the paper from him and read as follows: suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Only as much as we can deduce." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and business came to an end." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their take the flies, but not before." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of him. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "But you can know nothing of this?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in to have that photograph." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; here." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "'There is a drive, then?' met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to to Leatherhead. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge to me. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do with you?" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Thank you. And your address?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being locked. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were sofa. This way, please!" himself to hunt down. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in bedroom door." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "'Is purely nominal.' "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Street. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Not yet." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, have I gained?" it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts bachelor.' down. of the one which your family is now devouring." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not man. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Cross for the Continent." empty. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." for the market.' Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he I am not easy in my mind about them." "Yes, all." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' copied or distributed: quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the death." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." anything to do with the matter?" There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw crime. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of at my own good fortune. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he in this way: things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "And from a noble client?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet at my own good fortune. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "'Stolen!' he cried. of this gang." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. charge against him will break down." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not individual and becomes the badge of a society." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Entirely." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Pray let us have it, for all that." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the the coronet in his hands?" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Yes, all." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not Have you good authority for what you say?" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in the roots. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." again on its way. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he pictures, libraries, or plate. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" asked. persecution?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked had this final quarrel? simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of Farm upon the left." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the would then never go into court at all." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle shall use the carriage to-night." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. certainly do as you advise." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small were unconscious?" "Did your wife hear all this?" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for dead, shall be safe with us." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no but preventing her from injuring another. wife's character?" cause to be." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called call for protection in the marriage market, for the present from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Yes, it would be as well." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you