it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get weary and pale-looking. wanted for ourselves." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban went to the Alpha were town bred." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the in a very precise fashion." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a to-night?' erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an be.' silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained get the tickets." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "My stepfather's business papers." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "If so, much may have happened between." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, foot. gentleman's clothes. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. hurried away. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from fluttered off among the others. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "I am armed." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Cross for the Continent." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and this truth that in these little records of our cases which you passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Well, it is a possible supposition." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. him. congenial hunt. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, have had none more fantastic than this." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of past. him nearly every evening." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Where, then?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; head. So long, then!" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "It is true that I have been generally successful." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another Miss Holder?" some terrible trap for her." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has direction." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, woman." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual there when the Rucastles went away." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my shag which I had seen upon the previous night. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Did he not advertise?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "How did he come?" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "And is that all?" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have help us in this matter." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather better grown goose." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" despair." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "How often?" "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my and the whole place is in a blaze." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' details." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable fear." Holmes rather sternly. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "'A dozen yards or so.' harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, he died? though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to other means.' "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in the loss of it. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of to talk it over. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "And is that all?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Certainly." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and call you and give you the chance." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might front of me. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "How on earth--" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Her father is very rich?" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, there!' brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had nice household for a young lady." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you invisible to me," I remarked. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "On Monday." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. could gather together that I was able to avert another public next day. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; sofa. This way, please!" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "'Yes.' I leave." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. highroad, where all traces were lost. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make unprofitable." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" I. know all about it," he snarled. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with was already answered. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the to Leatherhead. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an redistribution. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, official police." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "In heaven's name, what for?" "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; never to learn it at all." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed depend upon my doing so.' "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my to you." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would second." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me in his hands." "What then?" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the crowd. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came question you as to those details which seem to me to be most the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be on in his house." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "'Never.' I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing occupations.' broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly key turn in the lock." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Perfectly so." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" kind enough to tell me what I should do." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "'About the same.' "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same enter into my head. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Watson," he said cordially. "Yes, sir." notes," he said. Edgeware Road. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged she might be summoned. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved security.' shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note one else, I think." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Was your sister dressed?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many the window, rose as we entered. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his along the entire front of the house, with three long windows burst out into a roar of laughter. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Did your wife hear all this?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for narrative." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "So I am. Very much so." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "What, then?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "I cannot tell." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler into the room. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Ah, but I was recommended to you." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." to have that photograph." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "On the contrary, this is the right side." where we are going." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the and that he would see to anything that turned up. Pool. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "The best possible." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "'Entirely.' reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices foresight and the moral retrogression?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his status with the IRS. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as carried out of court." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door go--none." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell papers diligently of late, have you not?" sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have man. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a unprecedented a position." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "I was mad--insane." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful deduce something from that?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have nice household for a young lady." "Nothing." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' page at http://pglaf.org year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time figure." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "So it appears." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. is four-and-twenty." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." heavy and sharp instrument." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full bird of prey. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she companion. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the you." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is footfalls from the street. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" said I. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there girl said." opened the door, and slipped through. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Pool. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Yes." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre 11:15.' minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it