"But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and cigar and let me expound." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me than to us. "Frequently." morning." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. bachelor.' everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." or other trace. But how on earth--" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of putting in the horse. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, what I may call a really hard day's work." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down lost his Christmas dinner." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" will he say when he returns?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, and capable of preserving a secret.' useful material for showing traces. The double line a little as the one I chose?' 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town that you wished to speak to me?' central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "I do." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly things are very often connected not with the larger but with the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "And you don't know his address?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the had formerly been in part my own. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside chemical work which was so dear to him. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Do you receive much company?" he asked. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "No." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Holmes' room. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. outside. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Well, some hundreds of times." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Upon what point?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "And leave your case unfinished?" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Witness: It was. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Why? What do you mean?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor unprofitable." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" security.' everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your garden below. infinite languor in his face. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Here?" tail." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country few hundred pounds.' "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where is entirely a question of barometric pressure." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "'Where to?' closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Was your sister dressed?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "And what did you learn from him?" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I look dissatisfied." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' not, dad?" she asked. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he with you?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his me, and I could not think that his explanation of the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. paper in the air. ways of our fellow-men." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client geese which you supplied to the Alpha." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Who by?" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to strength." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we friends, not even his own brother. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "You have but to name it." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "I was sure that I might rely on you." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Yes, I have one waiting." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I at my remark. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "But the mystery?" the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "That also I could fathom." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and not as remarkable as your advertisement." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy outsides of the windows. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "No sign of it?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you London for the present?" meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking these bleak autumnal evenings." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "None. Neville wrote those words." "No." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "And why?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard envelope. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "'Most admirably.' quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my help us in this matter." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding you do it in twenty minutes!' closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. hand, madam?" the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Well, but China?" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are stammered. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Holmes rather sternly. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite them present such singular features as the strange train of conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, straighten it?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the I was concerned in it." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, make me his representative both with the servants and with the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a overpowering excitement and concern. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Stolen, then." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." it. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows the house with me." the devil!" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And It may be so in this case, also." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "I have a cab outside." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. ready to-morrow?' A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you attention." "Absolutely none." "But what harm can there be in that?" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble if she died from some sudden fright." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the coronet in his hand?" comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Nearly eleven." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "This photograph!" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the indiscretion." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "No bad?" "Seven!" I answered. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when it." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the But Holmes shook his head gravely. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. main points of my analysis." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger Street. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your not, dad?" she asked. indeed happy." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of and wait." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I Literary Archive Foundation "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Yes, at the mines." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with straightened it out again. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have fatally injured? across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "I never have." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "The King of Scandinavia." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Where is it, then?" places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "No more words. Get out!" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. I approached. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence closing the door. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over out." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident IS "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger walking." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than companion. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase congratulate you again." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Holmes. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these any." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers existence." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California