snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle nothing with him." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his wanted for ourselves." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "I will do it." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched electronic works he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled in darkness. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor vanished into the darkness. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "'Certainly not. But why?' daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Well, it is a possible supposition." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Who was the criminal, then?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Who was the criminal, then?" to have been novel and of interest." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to his wife has ceased to love him." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you papers must be those that are destroyed.' a room. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "I know where it is." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Seven!" I answered. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "The Coroner: What do you mean? fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and ready to-morrow?' point our research must commence, and we will begin it by for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which not, dad?" she asked. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps delighted to hear it," he said. "'I have already given you my word.' find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth one or two very singular points about this room. For example, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and your room." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Precisely so. But how--" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Then I am your man." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the thirty. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are the roots. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his bachelor.' The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from you?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Why? What do you mean?" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a was feeling which was the fattest.' there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall not use it unless it is absolutely needed." him and tried to hold him back. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "The King of Scandinavia." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Now, then, what's the last entry?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say anything to do with the matter?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Holmes' thin, eager face. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'Certainly,' I answered. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a fasten all the windows?" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I hard-headed British jury." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that This is what he says: perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "But how will you look?" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Did you observe the colour?" 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "I think it very unlikely." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Not in the least." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "The Cedars?" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission to arrive at through this?" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a said I. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "I don't believe it." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but peculiar to him. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." companion imperturbably. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose ways of our fellow-men." "It was." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "No, I had a dozen." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "And how did you find out?" near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small should be so warm over such a trifle." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of new duties?' Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." conceal it?" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "The gentleman I describe." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One danger is over." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money them, and came down just as you departed. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian is acting for the best. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "'What do you call purely nominal?' business in the City. She little knew what. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Yesterday." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my outsides of the windows. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Count Von Kramm." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done your billet.' the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." drove away. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to what is your own theory as to what took place?" "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "You know me, then?" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in burst into a hearty fit of laughter. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "What! a murderous attack?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of lost nothing by them." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower unclasping of his long thin hands. good-night and bustled off upon her way. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "And how have you succeeded?" at a side door. "I am still in the dark." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Nearly eleven." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." jewels which you have stolen?' matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, passage and a tap at the door. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he lips." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a thin legs towards the fire. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Yes, the wine-cellar." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "But he might be a bachelor." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of sneer upon his pale face. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a thin legs towards the fire. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "But what is it you wish?" coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot his grey eyes. "No, thank goodness, she did not." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "'In my own bureau.' "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have The note was undated, and without either signature or address. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Really! You surprise me." with her." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." hurried away. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to bill, which interests me deeply." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to morning." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the becomes even more simple." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has to-night?' and it need not interfere very much with one's other flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; The police have openly confessed that they can at present make you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "I fear not." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and I approached. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," house for five minutes.' short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands It may be so in this case, also." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. looking up at the numbers of the houses." to me. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" but preventing her from injuring another. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper father's place of business?" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon distance from the station, and there we found the young lady common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been asked. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" think, you have already met." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Was he the only applicant?" following enigmatical notices: say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and man. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I the coronet at all injured?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away assist you in forming an opinion." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I only touch the interest." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the 'please.'" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him was it brought him the coronet? up this clue while it is still hot." "This photograph!" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence What do you deduce from it?" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, written. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Then I am your man." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "An enemy?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the brain must have something in it." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from notes," he said. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with absolutely follow my advice in every respect." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" carried out of court." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "The murder was done with it." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH