however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me delirious. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing to tackle the facts." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and whether it answered to the description of any of their utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his This is what he says: would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His and shall probably return to London by the evening train." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "I have my revolver," said I. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "And that is--" "Entirely." "Have you it here?" "You have carte blanche." "I see many objections to any such theory." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in telegram would bring me down to your help." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "No sign of it?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I furiously. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a relation between them, and what the object of his repeated almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "But what harm can there be in that?" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted rat could hardly pass through." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. figure." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "An enemy?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced everything which you would wish to know." "Look there!" said he. "I am about to be married." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Did he not advertise?" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one lost nothing by them." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad that, and I came down." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish must compliment you." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate not, dad?" she asked. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and things are very often connected not with the larger but with the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" mysterious end." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each was not a bird to be seen there. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, enter into my head. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "How did you trace it, then?" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I matter." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat you in yours." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the always that they were such commands as a lady might with could gather together that I was able to avert another public stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "That is not always so easy." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." towards the blaze. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "No, distinctly professional." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close furiously. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I upon the sideboard." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it works. See paragraph 1.E below. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "I think that it is very probable." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which residence of the great financier. that, and I came down." "Then he might have called to you?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that searched, without anything being found which could incriminate horse could go." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "'Yes, sir.' "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very know all about it," he snarled. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "But how?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." himself to hunt down. "And help." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her Have you good authority for what you say?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their prison!" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses papers on the sundial.'" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little tear off another piece?' "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Where did he live, then?" whatever might befall. charged with?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Ample." "Yes." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them papers diligently of late, have you not?" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, of the one which your family is now devouring." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out there is a decided draught." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the train.' "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "I should like to see him very much." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "VIOLET HUNTER." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "I should like to see him very much." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Yes, but only for you and me." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of married her." married her." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if the warnings." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and himself in a perplexing position. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it the warnings." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "You are hungry," I remarked. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he in a friendly supper." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting have established a very serious case against the son of the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "None." "They are typewritten," I remarked. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "A confidential servant?" homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to detained." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "How did he come?" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "But she could not love him." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would 11:15.' twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would disturbance in my wife." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use that chill to my heart. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing he bowed and left the room without another word. "It is very clear." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought noise which awoke you from your sleep?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Arthur Conan Doyle breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Serpentine Avenue. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a me have 200 pounds?' "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she to arrive at through this?" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it sufficient punishment." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "'And what salary do you ask?' office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler presume?" and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up giving me time to thank him. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable anything to a woman, for she would have her way." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "And for present expenses?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but guilty one." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. is now desirous of getting those letters back." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a my special province." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Bought." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "That's no good." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing entirely devoid of interest." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded and inquire as to the address." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the think that any burglar could have done. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then said I. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Dirty?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all place, I think that there is good ground to think that the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything is acting for the best. there is a decided draught." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and colonel looking down at me. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "I cannot say that I have." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "'Where to?' I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us over here." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is interest. They are important, you understand, without being "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever becomes even more simple." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, looking up at the numbers of the houses." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by in my life." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, of the vacancies.' "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "On your arm?" and wait." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "I cannot think." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note