remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, forbidden door. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw in his power. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with other means.' hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "But you have hopes?" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: to miss it." "And your mother is alive?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "'Quite sure, dad.' "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, look dissatisfied." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he purpose equally well?" to tell." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "No, I think that I'll take it." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low your most interesting statement." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking the window, rose as we entered. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch tell me that you intended to go into harness." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had girl said." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "I am about to be married." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her to tackle the facts." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Certainly." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Will you go?" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "You have carte blanche." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, me. You must get home instantly and act." "'What, the red-headed man?' moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom straightened it out again. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "What shall I do?" "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "I am about to be married." would then never go into court at all." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "I assure you that I am in your hands." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "'Yes, sir.' "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than feature." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he husband's writing, madam." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Pool. "My dear Holmes!" "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they indeed happy." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. particular state visit http://pglaf.org however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in comes from the middle window." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be be.' "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored through." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "At half-wages, in fact." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which with you alone." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a something of him before." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of at home. you." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "A client, then?" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Witness: Nothing definite. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as that threaten you." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment pressing in one house as in another. distinguish the words: "No, I am descending." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Who by?" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "'Then let me do so?' that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "'Never.' remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Perfectly so." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "I have come for advice." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "What will you do, then?" "To the police?" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "I should be immensely obliged to you." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Stoke Moran." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me experiences." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. as noiselessly as she had come. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we the warnings." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' morning." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "'It is locked up,' I answered. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "What office?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Lee, in the county of Kent." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have The events in question occurred in the early days of my starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "If so, much may have happened between." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "And Irene Adler?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave intrusion of other matters." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three few hundred pounds.' down from London to inquire more deeply into it." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet any more." of this gang." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Frequently." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign man. "What then?" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then roused himself from his reverie. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with interests were the same as his." someone who had been in Australia." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Murdered?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Upon what point?" "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was now. It seems that there had been some informality about their resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "It is a murder, then?" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the exactly what you advise." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "And why in hopes?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "On your arm?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat money should be paid at once.' to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "You were travelling in the States?" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, nice household for a young lady." someone who had been in Australia." done what I asked you, Jones?" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free narrative." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, formed some opinion?" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Very well, sir. And this stone?" a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can of them has the shutters up.' business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever to go into your room and bar your shutters?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was purpose equally well?" leave you to your papers for a little." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the one else, I think." depend upon my doing so.' We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but hour?' "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "An accident, I presume?" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place open." hair?' to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, unprofitable." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "You will not go there first?" "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "And why?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning more terrible than the truth. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone thought that she would have been so carried away." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the coronet in his hands?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely your bag." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "You saw the ventilator, too?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down client, rising. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I wedding?" Pope's Court. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the time." if she died from some sudden fright." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian over part of the map. "What do you read?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as appeared upon the scene." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to electronic works were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property triumphant cloud from his cigarette. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I key turn in the lock." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I you found me to-night--and running through the front room she were new raised from a basin. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found just called myself is not exactly my own." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is mysterious end." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich a little more before I quite committed myself. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As certainly do as you advise." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has posted to-day." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "And now?" I asked. sake, don't!" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of you." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Then, how do you know?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on the nursery. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At