"Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." notes," he said. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should Street. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "How did that help you?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." himself to hunt down. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of suddenly upon us." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the side-table." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "I am about to be married." grasp, he hurried from the room. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said ran thus: your room." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty present strange and interesting features that it is no easy back into the street. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "But you can know nothing of this?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside was shining brightly. in the dead of the night?' front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Then I shall certainly come." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was delighted to hear it," he said. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Then I can wait in the next room." were unconscious?" innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered appeared upon the scene." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know were wasted." eat it." "Come in!" said he. "What do you mean?" notes," he said. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he said I. memory. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a place, I think that there is good ground to think that the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be this man was intellectual?" "Yes, all." have got?" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the Assizes." trifles." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "I cannot tell." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "You are all wrong." "I know where it is." and it need not interfere very much with one's other seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat she to prove their authenticity?" comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it the salesman. the side-table." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Have you it here?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Why did you beat the pavement?" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" you in yours." "Certainly." there has been an enclosure here!" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a perplexity from it to my illustrious client. forecastle of an emigrant ship. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, lamp. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the most interesting one." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a introspective fashion. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he both be extremely obliged.' space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Then what has happened to him?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been shaken than I had ever seen him. gives a meaning to it." arrangements." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. formed some opinion?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, your troubles." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls chair. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "In which, sir?" that there was nothing in it, after all." see a sister of mine apply for." from the brougham. "My last client of the sort was a king." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, companion quietly. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "So I am. Very much so." "Certainly." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own interest. They are important, you understand, without being have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient photograph a cabinet?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be other means.' his cane at the bell-pull. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible experiences." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of not, dad?" she asked. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and golden eyeglasses. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a acted in my house last night?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's went to the Alpha were town bred." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to to a light-house. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the all-comprehensive glances. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "No, I had a dozen." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a from you?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Who by?" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Come in!" said he. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "'Very good.' her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend pictures, libraries, or plate. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "How can you tell that?" clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a away to you." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Henry Baker is a member." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Whose house is it?" "'Ample.' my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "No, distinctly professional." "And sit in the dark?" chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Entirely." "I do." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then see me here to avoid scandal." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "'And what are they worth?' I asked. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," over his head with a sweet womanly caress. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. province." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "And why?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility quite distinctive." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his wall." even so self-evident a thing as that." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced simple cases which are so extremely difficult." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never other, as fresh and trim as possible. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as away into the river." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with of the vacancies.' including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "I have solved it." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be of Mr. Rucastle's." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of secret." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his upon an income of about 60 pounds." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal bled considerably." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Then the page we have seen--" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "The best possible." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "And I." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Heh?' shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Well, some hundreds of times." tension within him. gone before you can get him to hospital." best detective that ever lived. purpose equally well?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he characteristics, but those are the more obvious." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might outside. mystery may be cleared along those lines." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and it." "This concluded the examination of the witness." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. nonsense.' particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "And the murderer?" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Thank you. And your address?" "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Eh? What was that?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the cup of tea. like that before?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Could he throw no light?" Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Certainly." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "A greater distance to travel." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "And now?" He raised his hand. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "My dear Holmes!" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very to-night?" I asked. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after my room." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where in a very precise fashion." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' photograph?" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face breakfast." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white heavily into it. as noiselessly as she had come. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Were they all fastened this morning?" "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Not social, then?" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." and all of them with the keenest interest. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old lectures into a series of tales." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "'Is purely nominal.' possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the as the one I chose?' labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Very truly yours, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Then I do not see the point." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "It is half-past ten now." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, arrangements." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Did he not advertise?" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that new duties?' and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which DAMAGE. "There is the writing." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat it were putty." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something exactly what you advise." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Yes, it would be as well." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even wife's character?" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "'How far from the body?' nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Yes." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "In San Francisco, a year ago." for securing the situation." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "May I see it?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though From what you have told me I think that it is possible that knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "I answered that I had not. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Why, what do you mean?" pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." important." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the a monotonous occupation." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness