permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would The events in question occurred in the early days of my in my life." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Then I can wait in the next room." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" them?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Well." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "'Yes, sir.' face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and there was no need for father to know." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet morning." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, mysterious end." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes chance at all." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "No, I think that I'll take it." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with individual and becomes the badge of a society." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the main points of my analysis." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The bird I ate is country bred." "It looks newer than the other things?" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." shall not find me ungrateful." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' a good hundred miles off by now." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not I. of the one which your family is now devouring." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she you." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the cigars in the box." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Your presence might be invaluable." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering possible that we could bring him back to her? of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "His face fell immediately. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "No more words. Get out!" any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "But I have heard all that you have heard." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the already referred to. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. yourselves in at night?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon affair. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the narrative." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "This photograph!" my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of room. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin note?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known to a more successful conclusion." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "'Tell me all about it,' said I. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a at my remark. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "I answered that I had not. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "What steps will you take?" I asked. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "What then?" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed correct than the official force." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. invisible to me," I remarked. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "My dear Holmes!" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City pictures, libraries, or plate. best detective that ever lived. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, more terrible than the truth. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled to miss it." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business presume?" bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "To an English lawyer named Norton." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let where we are going." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Was the window open?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient had a long day." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock careless servant girl?" for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they charged with?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under three of the beryls in it, was missing. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" DAMAGE. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that of the one which your family is now devouring." fashion which was peculiar to him. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek noting anything else of interest. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have asked. "That is unusual in a young girl." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For weary and pale-looking. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "No, thank goodness, she did not." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "No more words. Get out!" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical straightened it out again. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly bears upon the case?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Have you it here?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I call you and give you the chance." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his be. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, woman." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the residence of the great financier. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which about here speaks of his kindness to him." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. when your master had gone out." jewels which you have stolen?' way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "'Why that?' I asks. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "That's no good." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "And is that all?" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "No, my brougham is waiting." that there was nothing in it, after all." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "And you thought he was pulled back?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "At what time?" paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own careless servant girl?" person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing during that time.' creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "I was afraid that you were engaged." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the During two years I have had three consultations and one small of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the to change my dress. not within a twentieth part of the market price." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is the date of his supposed suicide." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "I am armed." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "And from a noble client?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out maiden herself was most instructive." purpose equally well?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "My dear Holmes!" look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a that "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "It is his hat." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon was a lad." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Quite so." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "It is a murder, then?" "Yes, but only for you and me." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and McCarthy." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight gives a meaning to it." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "I have seen the police." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "9th. McCauley cleared. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "No. His orders were to stay in the house." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a she has been waylaid. There has been no result." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Two days later this same performance was gone through under pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." young Openshaw's." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs noise which awoke you from your sleep?" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both events than those which have happened in my own family." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "And your father? Did you tell him?" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." fatally injured? planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less official police." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a ill-usage at the hands of fortune. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by been." way in." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Look there!" said he. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "But I have heard all that you have heard." be sorry for having acted so harshly." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell,