Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. his face. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events case-book, which he consulted. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my From what you have told me I think that it is possible that gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "That is it on the dressing-table." "Was your sister dressed?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all conclusions. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "'Yes, sir.' "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, status with the IRS. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was soul! here is her carriage at the door." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over place of silver." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, which our visitor detailed to us. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George of note-paper. It read in this fashion: fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a I think that I could be of assistance to you." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent to where he stood hid behind the curtain. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Where did he live, then?" "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Never." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Arthur Conan Doyle face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged and put his glass in his pocket. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five the night.' "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so window when the police appeared." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others roused himself from his reverie. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in gone. returned to France?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have indeed happy." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Not him." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to was feeling which was the fattest.' heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be to-morrow." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Yes, only one." purpose equally well?" giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "'Ten to two.' It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "'Tell me all about it,' said I. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads said he. from the brougham. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was there." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "'Yes.' have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to window when the police appeared." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers suggested at once that there must be a communication between the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There situation." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was way in everything. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are his face. success. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "'As governess?' came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Stolen." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His the morning and make my own way in the world.' are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is The events in question occurred in the early days of my "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is It may be so in this case, also." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do arrested. You then--" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as It may be so in this case, also." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place good for you to do.' impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little whether it answered to the description of any of their sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty the so-precious time, but come!' father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is gentleman's clothes. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. to me. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can since then to throw any light upon what became of him." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "It was." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it I leave." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who look upon these things in a different way." "Nothing." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the locked. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "'Is 4 pounds a week.' bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step directors have had misgivings upon the subject." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Get out!" said he. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, foot. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "In heaven's name, what for?" were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and awaited us upon the table. in darkness. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further the bed, and you in that chair." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can daring than any effort of the imagination." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that business?" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "The knees of his trousers." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There entirely devoid of interest." "I fear not." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter problems help me to do so." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than strong and stiff." "'And what salary do you ask?' came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Clair, of Lee." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Heh?' of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of vanished into the darkness. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Sholtos." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer your Highness to the police-station?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some situation." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. the one as in the other." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time ourselves in the office." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that annoyance, but no jest. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "'Certainly not. But why?' am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Did your wife hear all this?" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "He disappeared so suddenly." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most lamp. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, train from Paddington which would bring you there at about scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where province." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself written. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away late." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "'What are you doing there?' he asked. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for meant it for the best. had died away into the silence from which it rose. experiences." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" was not a bird to be seen there. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and the night.' http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice persecution?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been strength of mind to control. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a future lives." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "It is true that I have been generally successful." "How did you trace it, then?" could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "My photograph." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a until night should bring an explanation. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to feature." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two your sleep?' of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand coat-tails." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the