rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the wall." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon words came to my lips. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "How long did she speak to this Alice?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" have got?" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "I say that I have solved it." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just envelope. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Dirty?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "What steps will you take?" I asked. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it you for a few hours?" the very morning of the wedding." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this seven miles from Eyford Station.' "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of look dissatisfied." "Stolen." "'How far from the body?' now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" fat-encircled eyes. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, present." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back woman who has had her own way to make in the world. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "And I to find an enemy." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes his face. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the sake, don't!" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One arrangements." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? begun to whiten, even as mine has." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "I am in hopes that she does." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly or in danger--" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Of Friday, June 19th." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," face and glided from the room. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel during the last few years, and there are many noble families to subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a seem to you to be relevant or not." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "What I expected to see." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my strength." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Game for a morning drive?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. hereditary King of Bohemia." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to Countess of Morcar's?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not You want to know what became of those geese?" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "You think so, too?" must be when I saw the door open.' London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has him to go away.' possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the affair. mysterious end." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an business matters.' which should have the effect of calling the attention of the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it of the one which your family is now devouring." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Here?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my thought that she would have been so carried away." "That was it, sir." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "It may not come to that," said Holmes. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a corner of the building. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This she has been waylaid. There has been no result." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." hurried away. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was and the whole place is in a blaze." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the room had already been engaged for us. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he chamber." companion. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother coat-tails." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." had formerly been in part my own. "Game for a morning drive?" round and wave him away like that.' the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring within hail.' the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less never will be, entirely cleared up. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' in him." "Witness: I must still refuse. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that fatally injured? surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" me." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "But what will you do?" "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I pictures, libraries, or plate. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about and wait." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a face and glided from the room. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate one which it was hard to resist. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down electronic works hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something help us in this matter." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "What office?" the driver. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the opportunities to fix the problem. "Very. But will he see it?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "And how?" But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an his wife has ceased to love him." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "He slept on the premises." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was as noiselessly as she had come. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all intimate personal affairs in this public manner." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the imbecility!" he cried. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to suddenly upon us." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! my secret was safe in his possession. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the cigars in the box." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Is he quiet?" must be when I saw the door open.' "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself so.' screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were highly," said Holmes. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped eavesdroppers?' "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" the date of his supposed suicide." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any strange features which were associated with the two crimes which pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, hardly wander." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey written. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you was once confined in the cab my mission was practically does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Eyford at 11:15.' reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Now, then, what's the last entry?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I business at Coburg Square is serious." ourselves in the office." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Murdered?" "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small his huge brown hands. knowledge of the world." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built business." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Was he the only applicant?" his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce something of him before." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' of." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' gentleman's clothes. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "His face fell immediately. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "'Yes, sir.' have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing did not hear it also.' a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Did you observe the colour?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "You know me, then?" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Then, how do you know?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "But his left-handedness." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "No, my brougham is waiting." remarked. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Street. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, young Openshaw's." drove away. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom threw himself down with his face to the pillow. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a my special province." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Then I am your man." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they the morning and make my own way in the world.' even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "You will not go there first?" in darkness. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how pictures, libraries, or plate. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "I say it is." "Not particularly." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know as this. Pray let me have the details." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. companion. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "No, my brougham is waiting." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had and the church but not where the lady lived." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "'There is a drive, then?' Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having you, my dear young lady?' was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood wedding?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that beg that you will break it off." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is once more for Briony Lodge. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "My photograph." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an were unconscious?" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of