may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. only touch the interest." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Stoke Moran." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She will be renamed. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and read over the extraordinary announcement. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." I am not easy in my mind about them." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. will take you up to see the machine.' "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it bled considerably." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was business?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "To an end?" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Then, how do you know?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." lost nothing by them." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then several quiet little villages up there." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Game for a morning drive?" have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Eyford." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." opened the door, and slipped through. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still attention." "Pray do so." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two his face which made him a very different person to the round, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait at home. "Then, how do you know?" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "No, I am descending." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the I approached. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. you." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to these bleak autumnal evenings." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. congenial hunt. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" might help us?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those with the outside air!" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Nor running a chance of arrest?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of himself to tell his story. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" any little problem which you may submit to me." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they and that he would see to anything that turned up. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 tear off another piece?' was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "My opinion is in no way altered." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "None." "'What, the red-headed man?' consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." read it out to me." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he populous neighbourhood." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather which our visitor detailed to us. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. pressing in one house as in another. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with important." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "No." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE noise which awoke you from your sleep?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned not use it unless it is absolutely needed." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Doctor, of the paper and the date." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at you." you." "Game for a morning drive?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Not in a good cause." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is lectures into a series of tales." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "You have it, sir, just as it happened." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his even of instruction." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Why did you pick him?" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and is," said he presently: "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not developed." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had daring than any effort of the imagination." I am not easy in my mind about them." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." furiously. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of remarked. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Upon what point?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Imitated." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in ventilator." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "He said that you could solve anything." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged know what is wrong with it.' at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "It missed him, then?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others up this clue while it is still hot." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look promised to bring home. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is crackling voice. "No, finished." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "I say that I have solved it." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your key turn in the lock." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "That you are never beaten." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage present strange and interesting features that it is no easy all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement highroad, where all traces were lost. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging know what is wrong with it.' a very grave face. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Has he come with you to-night?" situation." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Then I shall certainly come." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his answered with a sidelong glance. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the house with me." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which call it cruel." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a more terrible than the truth. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no acted in my house last night?" the coronet in his hand?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door attention." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, hereditary King of Bohemia." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar cigar and let me expound." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Street. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet several quiet little villages up there." made his money." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Precisely." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met mystery." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who towards the blaze. "It was an hour's good drive." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon business came to an end." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," habit of advancing money.' "You'll never persuade me to believe that." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. there has been an enclosure here!" thirty. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a the coroner come to?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some look dissatisfied." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to ran thus: course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and American. Then who could this American be, and why should he to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" lamp. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in of your young ladies.' which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my yet." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever child?' had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after pictures, libraries, or plate. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "And how did you verify them?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily flock.' night.' said he. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Here?" the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be beyond words. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "None. Neville wrote those words." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Miss Holder?" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant again, where I was soon asleep. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "'In my own bureau.' what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of will he say when he returns?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "She will not sell." politicians who had been sent down from the North. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a when your master had gone out." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to window when the police appeared." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR death." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is