is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "A call for help, you thought?" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, peculiar to him. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been appointment with me for six o'clock?" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is lips." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a geese which you supplied to the Alpha." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Never." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "You did not overhear what they said?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a nights." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, whether it answered to the description of any of their which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed neither fascinating nor artistic." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which is now desirous of getting those letters back." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a to me. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "No, my brougham is waiting." place of silver." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "No good news?" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a gigantic client. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY narrative." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Sutherland?" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "An enemy?" served to weaken the effect. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Yesterday." "And now?" I asked. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, The summons was a brief and urgent one. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "No." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "So I heard. You have him here?" "Did you observe the colour?" to miss it." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches at my remark. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her to change my dress. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Pray continue your narrative." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Witness: Nothing definite. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "What I expected to see." cheerful." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "How did that help you?" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of arrested. You then--" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "I will not look." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "He is still with you, I presume?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. the coronet in his hands?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he him!" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Heh?' a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "No." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Only as much as we can deduce." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Pray continue your narrative." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our get her out of the way." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "The vanishing of the lady." said Mr. Holder. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Quite so." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Really! You surprise me." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager back alive. have not had my rubber." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Not I." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour The police have openly confessed that they can at present make paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." to have been novel and of interest." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." will take you up to see the machine.' Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in chance at all." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and on re-entering her father's house?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "'I have already given you my word.' him, that man would not have given me such complete information time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate pound a week." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up stalked out of the room. already referred to. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "You know me, then?" "'What, the red-headed man?' I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "No." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered is acting for the best. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making a suggestive one." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which secret." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, sound at heart." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the habit of advancing money.' Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, that he has suffered." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "So I am. Very much so." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the tightly behind him. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those highroad, where all traces were lost. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post delighted to hear it," he said. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the questionable one." "The landlord of the Alpha." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked and no precautions can guard against." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the warnings." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a assist you in forming an opinion." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his is so. I know all about McCarthy." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." mysterious end." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Of Friday, June 19th." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." least a fellow-countryman. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his whatever might befall. in his power. "But you have hopes?" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how three of the beryls in it, was missing. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the it. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you this Miss Turner." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "And what did you learn from him?" sneer upon his pale face. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' certainly do as you advise." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "I see many objections to any such theory." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able that the gas is not laid on in his house?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it happened." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this papers on the sundial.'" chambers. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. it. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "You'll never persuade me to believe that." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there James Windibank. Voilà tout!" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "'Ample.' woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Only as much as we can deduce." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "But it has twice been burgled." think you a quite exceptional woman." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' started for the Temple to see my husband. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left could go. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough as the one I chose?' country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "I fear not." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would unclasping of his long thin hands. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "And Irene Adler?" "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady the date of his supposed suicide." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly sound at heart." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! the Red-headed League." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the directors, with the result that you have seen." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "What!" he roared. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to about. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been some place of shelter and let the county police know what has Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage sound at heart." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "To an English lawyer named Norton." and a shock of very red hair. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your legal crime." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are cheerful." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker little adventures." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in what do you think they found in the pockets?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as him to be an active member of the medical profession." "He said that you could solve anything." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Nor running a chance of arrest?" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can redistribution. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Dr. Becher's." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are power." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which